Abstract: In order to study the relationship between maize leaf angle and root penetration angle,an experiment was conducted at the experimental station of Agricultural University of Hebei during 2013-2014.Six mainly popularized maize varieties since 1950 were used,(i.e Baihe of 1950,Jidan 101 of 1967,Zhongdan 2 of 1972,Yedan 13 of 1998,Zhengdan 958 of 2000,Xianyu 335 of 2004).The growth and development of maize leaf areas,ear characters and grain yield of the varieties of different eras were studied by lysimeter method under enough water irrigation conditions.The root penetration angles of different root layers of different varieties were measured at harvest time.The results showed that,the yield of maize increased continuously with the changes of variety,grain yield per plant increased from 82.5 g of Baihe to 149.4 g of Xianyu 335 while the changes of leaf areas were not significant;leaf angle was reduced gradually from 45° to 26°the average root penetration angle was also reduced gradually from 56.0° to 33.8°.There was a significant positive correlation between plant leaf angle and root penetration angle.The changes of maize configurations both above and under ground were benefit to increase maize plant density,and increase the absorption of soil moisture and nutrient from deep soil layers.The results of this study have important significance to guide the water saving and high yield maize breeding and cultivation practices.

Key words: Maize, Leaf angle, Root angle, Varieties of different eras, Yield

CLC Number: 

• S513.01