In order to clarify the effects of partial substitution of straw bacterial manure for chemical fertilizer on maize growth and soil characteristics,a field experiment with four treatments were set up (chemical fertilizer,BF₀;30%nitrogen fertilizer replacement,BF₃₀;50%nitrogen fertilizer replacement,BF₅₀;70%nitrogen fertilizer replacement,BF₇₀) to determine maize yield and soil microbial characteristics.The results showed that straw bacterial manure significantly increased plant height and ear length at grain filling stage,and BF₅₀was the most significant,with the increase rates of 27.47%and 14.31%,respectively.Straw bacterial manure significantly reduced ear height,but had no significant effect on stem diameter and leaf number.The factors of corn yield and yield were increased significantly by straw bacterial manure,and BF₅₀promoted corn yield most significantly.In addition,straw bacterial manure significantly increased soil organic carbon content and microbial biomass carbon content.Except for BF₃₀significantly decreased the utilization efficiency of amino acids,the substitution of straw bacterial manure for chemical fertilizer increased the utilization efficiency of carbon sources.The results indicated that straw bacterial manure could be used to replace chemical fertilizer in maize production,which was beneficial to increase crop yield,reduce weight and increase efficiency.