ABSTRACTField trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of different cropping patterns (maize monocropping, maize and potato intercropping, potato monocropping) on microbial abundance, community structure, and microbial functional diversity using plate culture and Biolog technique. Results showed that compared with monocropping, intercropping increased the abundance of soil bacteria, fungi, and actinomyces in rhizosphere surrounding maize and potato. The average well color development (AWCD) and Shannon index (H) were higher in intercropping soil than that found in monocropping soil. The ability of rhizospheric soil microorganisms in utilizing six types of carbon sources had definite differences, and the most dominant community structure was the carbohydrates metabolic groups. Principal component analysis demonstrated that intercropping changed significantly soil microbial community functional diversity depending mainly on carbohydrates and carboxylic acids. Our findings suggested that maize–potato intercropping has positive effects on the improvement of soil microbial abundances, activity, and functional diversity.