Abstract:  The effects of the planting of four soybean varieties (Taiwan 75, Zhonghuang 42, Chunfengzao and Liuyueban) on rhizosphere microbial communities were studied by using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). The results showed that the soybean varieties in acidic soil had no significant effects on the microbial community diversity, such as aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, Gramnegative bacteria, Grampositive bacteria, actinomycetes and protozoa, except the impact of the Liuyueban on fungi and the ratio of bacteria/fungi, although they showed obvious differences in the biomass and yield. Compared with the Liuyueban, the Chunfengzao had significantly increased rhizosphere microbial community diversity, and improved the dominant species and evenness. The Zhonghuang 42 had significantly increased the richness of dominant species, and had also a significant difference with Taiwan 75 in Shannon evenness. However, the four genotypes of soybean had no significant effects on McIntosh and Gini indices. Further, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the Liuyueban and Zhonghuang 42 had significantly different effects on rhizosphere microbes, while the Chunfengzao and Taiwan 75 had a similar effect on the microbial community. These results facilitate our understanding about the interaction between soybean varieties and rhizosphere microbial communities in acidic soil.