[Objective] The dynamic changes of soil respiration rate and their relationships with soil enzyme activities under 4 different tillage methods of no tillage (T_n), medium tillage (T_m), subsoiling (T_s) and fall turnover (T_f) were studied in Minqin desert oasis, to provide basis for the establishment of feasible soil carbon management measures.[Methods] Based on a 2-years field experiment, the soil respiration rate in different growth stages (seedling, heading and maturity stage) was measured by LI-8100 soil carbon flux measurement system. Soil enzyme activities and physicochemical properties were measured by collecting soil samples at 0-20 cm soil depths.[Results] (1) Oasis soil respiration in Minqin desert showed a typical diurnal variation. The diurnal variation of soil respiration rate of the four tillage showed a single peak curve in the whole growth period of maize. The soil respiration rate were ranked as:T_f > T_m > T_s > T_n. There was a significant positive correlation between organic carbon content and soil respiration rate (P<0.05), indicating that traditional tillage significantly accelerated the release of soil carbon from maize fields in Minqin desert oasis area. (2) The activities of soil urease, invertase, protease, catalase and beta glucosidase were significantly correlated with soil respiration (p<0.05). The pH value, available potassium, organic carbon and the activity of urease, invertase glucose and beta glycosidase reached an extremely significant level (p<0.01).[Conclusion] Different tillage can change soil respiration rate by changing the physical and chemical properties of soil and stimulate enzyme activity in the desert oasis area, thus, influence the release of CO₂ in summer maize field.