The effects of grass residue of sophora alopecuroides, seeds residue of sophora alopecuroides and licorice residue on soil physical-chemical properties, microbial quantities and enzyme activities in abandoned salkaline land in arid area of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were studied. The results showed that the soil bulk density, pH value and total salt content after applied with residue were lower than not applied with residue(CK), especially the total salt content and pH value decreased significantly. Soil organic matter, total phosphorus, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium increased significantly, and there existed significant difference in available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium between different treatments, and also, the ability to provide available potassium and available nitrogen of seeds residue of sophora alopecuroides is significantly higher than that of grass residue of sophora alopecuroides and licorice residue, the ability to provide available phosphorus of licorice residue is significantly higher than that of grass residue of sophora alopecuroides and seed residue of sophora alopecuroides. After the application of waste residue, the number of soil bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were significantly higher than that of CK. The activity of alkaline phosphatase increased significantly by application of seed residue of sophora alopecuroides and licorice residue, and the activity of soil catalase increased significantly by application of seeds residue of sophora alopecuroides. Soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium showed a significant correlation with microbial quantities and enzyme activities, which were promoted each other.