Abstract:In this study, we measured the soil respiration rate with a closed chamber method under 4 different tillage treatments, which are all straw returned and incorporated by tillage (ASRT), no-till with straw mulching (NTSM), shallow rotary till treatment (SRT) and conventional tillage (CT), in Shouyang Dryland Farming Experimental Station. We conducted these investigations the effects of these four tillage managements combined with other the factors on soil respiration rate during the growth period for maize. The results showed that soil respiration rates have daily and seasonal regular changes under all tillage treatments, which showed a single peak curve. The daily maximum of soil respiration rate occurred at 11:30-13:30, and the maximum value of seasonal soil respiration rate occurred from the first to middle of July. During the growth period, the average of soil respiration rates of the SRT,ASRT,NTSM and CT were 2.82, 2.77, 264 and 2.49 μmolCO2?m-2?s-1 respectively. The result also indicated that soil temperature and moisture are two key factors that affect the soil respiration rate in the dryland field, which could explain 55%-78%,20%-43% of the seasonal variation, respectively. The Q10 of four treatments were 2.19-3.07 and NTSM>SRT>ASRT>CT. The water sensitivity is NTSM>ASRT>SRT>CT.