The study looked at how different methods of soil and water conservation affect the water retention of purple soil in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. By analyzing the water retention curves under different conservation systems, researchers found that soil water content was highest under contour hedgerow treatment, followed by rock ridge terrace treatment, and lowest in the control. The differences in water retention were more noticeable as soil water suction increased. Both the Gardner and van Genuchten models were effective in describing the purple soil water retention curve, with Gardner model being better for field management and van Genuchten model for estimating soil properties.