The general characteristics: particle size distribution, pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, total NPK, surface area; and physical properties: coefficient of linear extensibility, tensile strength, shear strength and cracking, were investigated in unproductive soils of Northern China. Principle component analysis showed that tensile strength, cohesion, cracking characteristics, clay content, cation exchange capacity and coefficient of linear extensibility were positively correlated with each other, whereas negatively correlated with angle of friction, indicating that these properties were subjected to clay % and smectite content. These correlations might be mainly responsible for low productivity (low yields) in Northern China.