Abstract: Since photochemical degradation of pesticides on the soil surface is an important transformation pathway in the environment,the study on photodegradation of pesticides plays a key role in assessment of their ecological risks.The studies on photodegradation of pesticides in soil,including methodology,important affecting factors and other critical research points were reviewed.Types of major photochemical reactions,prospects and some cases of application of photodegradation of pesticides in soil were also discussed.