To explore the relationship between the distribution of Sophora alopecuroides and soil salt ions, we analyzed the vertical distributions of ions (cations: Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺; anions: HCO₃^-, CO₃^2-, Cl^- and SO₄^2-), ion ratios in different soil layers, and the correlations between the ion concentrations of soils beneath S. alopecuroides with different coverage, Cynodon dactylon, Bothriochloa ischaemum, and Bothriochloa ischaemum in Yili River valley. The results showed that total salt content of soil beneath S. alopecuroides decreased with increasing S. alopecuroides coverage. Total salt content of topsoil (0-30 cm) was higher than that of subsoil (30-60 cm), suggesting that salt had the characteristics of surface accumulation in soils beneath S. alopecuroides. The distribution of salt ions across the soil profile was uneven, which was overall as follows: Na⁺>K⁺>Cl^->SO₄^2->Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>HCO₃^-, with CO₃^2- being not detected. The Na⁺/Ca²⁺, Na⁺/Mg²⁺, and Na⁺/K⁺ ratios indicated highest enrichment degree of Na⁺ in rhizosphere soil of S. alopecuroides. The uptake rate of Na⁺ by S. alopecuroides was lower than that of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺. There were significant correlations between total salt and other ions (P<0.05). Our results indicated that the higher the salt concentration, the lower the S. alopecuroides coverage, providing a theoretical basis for the management and control of S. alopecuroides in Yili River valley grassland.