【Background】The release of genetically modified crops into environment has become a public concern due to their potential environmental risks. Most of the residues of genetically modified crops will decompose in the soil, which may have an impact on soil microbes. 【Method】Classical plate counting, epifluorescence direct counting method (FDC) and denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) were employed to analyze the amount and diversity of soil bacteria, during the decomposition of antifungal transgenic rice straw under simulated field conditions. 【Result】Traditional culturedepending method indicated little difference in the trend of culturable bacterial number during the straw decomposition among all soil treatments; there was no significant difference between transgenic and nontransgenic treatments. FDC did not indicate significant difference in total bacterial number between transgenic and nontransgenic treatments. DGGE fingerprints also failed to indicate significant differences in the ShannonWiener index, evenness and abundance of soil samples between transgenic and nontransgenic treatments. 【Conclusion and significance】Straw of antifungal transgenic rice did not seem to have significant detrimental or positive effects on the amounts and diversity of bacteria during decomposition. This study could contribute to the environmental risk assessment of transgenic rice resistant to fungal diseases.