Abstract: Microbial communities in the soil of the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of Averrhoa carambola Linn cv.Taiwan soft-branch carambola were compared by microorganism-culturing and the application of the phospholipids fatty acids biomarkers (PLFAs) .Correlation and soil chemistry were also studied.Significantly more cultural fungi and actinomycetes as well as PLFA 10Me17∶0related to actinomycetes were found in the rhizospheric than in the non-rhizosphere soil of a same layer.The quantities of PLFAs 16∶0related to bacteria, 18∶1ω9crelated to fungi and 10Me17∶0related to actinomycetes were significantly higher in the upper-than in deep-layer of the soil.The quantities of organic matters significantly correlated with the 23PLFAs biomarkers, including 16∶0, 18∶1ω9cand10Me17∶0.Total nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus significantly correlated with the 18-20PLFAs biomarkers.Only a few PLFAs biomarkers showed significant correlation to the soil pH or water content of the soils.