Nitrate reductase catalyzes the initial and important step in denitrification. Denitrification represents a major source of N loss from agricultural soils and a major source of atmospheric N2O. This study evaluated the effects of management practices on soil nitrate reductase activity (NRA). The treatments comprised of one or a combination of management practices that included three tillage methods, two sources of nitrogen, three levels of nitrogen, use or non use of cover crop (Secale cereale L.), and a bare fallow (control). The three tillage methods were conventional-till, no-till, and mulch-till. The two sources of nitrogen were poultry litter and ammonium nitrate. Results obtained showed that soil nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was significant influenced by management practices. A significant increase in activity was observed with the addition of poultry manure. With respect to tillage practices, this study did not reveal significant difference in activity, although this was highest in no-tilled soils. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total C showed a strong correlation with activity (0.608*** and 0.542***, respectively). Microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and total N were also found to be correlated with activity (0.512***, 0.437**; respectively).