An experiment was carried out in the greenhouse in order to compare atrazine mineralization in bulk soil and maize rhizosphere at different development stages. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks, we have (1) measured the soil microbial biomass C, (2) characterized the C substrate utilization profiles of the culturable microflora, and (3) analyzed atrazine mineralization. Microbial growth was stimulated in planted soil and different C substrate utilization patterns were obtained in bulk and rhizosphere soils during the first 2 months. During this period, laboratory tests for atrazine biodegradation revealed a lower mineralization potential in bulk than in planted soil. Atrazine mineralization was stimulated to a greater extent after atrazine application in the greenhouse but again the presence of plants had a favorable effect. After 12 weeks of cropping, the atrazine mineralization potential decreased in planted soil with or without prior atrazine application.