<p>Research on <i>Eragrostis curvula</i> has focused primarily on its value for pastures and as a potential food source, while the contribution of its cultivars to soil nutrient cycling in nutrient-poor grassland ecosystems is still poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the effects of <i>E. curvula</i> cultivars on soil bacterial communities, enzyme activities, and soil properties in grassland soils. Soil samples were analysed for nutrient concentrations, pH, and enzyme activity. Pot trials with <i>E. curvula</i> Ermelo and Agpal cultivars were conducted over four months in a greenhouse. Pre- and post-harvest soils were assessed for changes in nutrient profiles, enzyme activities, and bacterial communities. There was an increase in the bacteria isolated from post-harvest soils compared to pre-planting soils. Soil growing the cultivars showed a significant increase in the nitrate reductase activity across all study sites. Soil N concentrations and pH increased in all post-harvest soils. The pearson correlation coefficients between soil enzymes and nutrients showed that alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and glucosidase were moderately positively correlated with phosphorus (<i>r</i> = 0.41, 0.40, and 0.40 respectively) and negatively correlated with pH (<i>r</i>= -0.33, -0.32 and − 0.34 respectively). A weak positive correlation was observed between nitrate reductase and soil nitrogen (<i>r</i> = 0.22). These findings highlight how <i>E. curvula</i> cultivars shift the microbial profile over time while increasing N and pH in grassland ecosystem soils.</p>