Abstract: To select suitable maize varieties and distinguish them in middle and late maturing maize planting areas in Shanxi Province, seven local main popularized varieties are used for randomized block design. Wide row and close planting techniques are adopted, and ear traits and yield are measured after harvest. The results showed that: (1) the yield of‘Xianyu 335’was the highest compared with that of others, followed by that of ‘Junyu 288’,‘Taiyu 811’was inferior to other varieties in yield-related indexes; (2) except‘Xieyu 4’, the expression of genes influencing ear diameter was similar in all varieties, and the differences of variety had a significant effect on the number of ear lines and ear length, some varieties had no significant difference, reflecting that the genetic backgrounds of some varieties in current market were relatively similar; (3) bald length of‘Junyu 288’should be reduced by some measures, and except‘Xieyu 3’and‘Xieyu 4’, the genes of other varieties in the control of axis were similar, but now the breeding goal was thin axle, so‘Xieyu 3’and ‘Xieyu 4’should be improved in the related aspects. The yield and yield related characters of different varieties were not significantly different, but there were significant differences in some aspects such as external To select suitable maize varieties and distinguish them in middle and late maturing maize planting areas in Shanxi Province, seven local main popularized varieties are used for randomized block design. Wide row and close planting techniques are adopted, and ear traits and yield are measured after harvest. The results showed that: (1) the yield of‘Xianyu 335’was the highest compared with that of others, followed by that of ‘Junyu 288’,‘Taiyu 811’was inferior to other varieties in yield-related indexes; (2) except‘Xieyu 4’, the expression of genes influencing ear diameter was similar in all varieties, and the differences of variety had a significant effect on the number of ear lines and ear length, some varieties had no significant difference, reflecting that the genetic backgrounds of some varieties in current market were relatively similar; (3) bald length of‘Junyu 288’should be reduced by some measures, and except‘Xieyu 3’and‘Xieyu 4’, the genes of other varieties in the control of axis were similar, but now the breeding goal was thin axle, so‘Xieyu 3’and ‘Xieyu 4’should be improved in the related aspects. The yield and yield related characters of different varieties were not significantly different, but there were significant differences in some aspects such as external shape, stress resistance and mechanized harvesting adaptability. The comprehensive characters of‘Xianyu 335’were the best among these varieties. The performance of some traits reflected that the genetic backgrounds of these breeds were similar, which indicated that the maize genetic resources in China were narrow. Therefore, further research should be conducted in the expansion of genetic resources, improvement of stress resistance and the adaptation to mechanized harvesting.