From 2008 to 2010, a field experiment was conducted to study the role of natural fiber textiles made of rice straw on soil and water conservation on sloping arable land by monitoring runoff, soil loss and biological traits and yield of maize. Results showed that rain events with stronger intensity produced more runoff and soil loss. The rice straw mat covering was more effective on water and soil conservation when rain fell with middle-intensity. The mean annual runoff and erosion rate were 295.98 m3/hm2 and 3.95 t/hm2 from the covered plot, which were reduced by 64.11% and 94.01% compared with non-covered plot, respectively. Besides, rice straw mat covering could improve maize growth and yield. In 2010, with covering the theoretical and actual yields of maize were 11.14 t/hm2 and 10.42 t/hm2 respectively, which were 47.5% and 45.7% higher than those without covering. Therefore, rice straw mat covering could control soil erosion and improve maize development, and was one of the sustainable practices.