Abstract: 【Objective】 The population light interception (PLI) has a great impact on growth, development, and grain production of maize (Zea mays L.) in interaction with canopy structure of maize population. It costs amounts of time and labor to measure the morphology index in the evaluation of maize canopy structure. And it is impossible to integrate solar radiation into the evaluation of canopy structure. Therefore, it is quite necessary to develop a simple but feasible model that combine canopy structure and solar radiation to improve the evaluation of maize canopy structure, and thus to guide farmers in crop management.【Method】Based on the canopy structure model and light distribution model, a simple and reliable light interception model of maize canopy was developed. In order to evaluate the prediction accuracy of this model, two field trials were conducted at Wuqiao Experimental Station of China Agricultural University in 2009-2011. Trial 1 was set up as a split-plot design with varieties (ZD 958 and DY 405) and plant densities (45 000, 60 000, and 75 000 plant/hm²) as main factors, and nitrogen management (No nitrogen; 180 kg·hm^-2 N applied at sowing﹕13-leaf stage﹕silking stage=1﹕4﹕1; 270 kg·hm^-2 N applied at sowing﹕13-leaf stage﹕silking stage =4﹕4﹕1) as second factor. Trial 2 was in a randomized complete block design, including one variety (ZD 958), one plant density (82 000 plant/hm²), and six sowing dates (April 20, May 5 and 20, June 4 and 18, and July 3, 2009). 【Result】The simulated PLI rates were significantly correlated with measured PLI rates at silking stage and mid kernel-filling stage, with r values of 0.91 and 0.85, respectively. During the entire kernel-filling stage, the PLI values first increased and then decreased, and the reduction became more obvious on 50 days after silking. Moreover, the PLI values remained at the highest level when plant density was greater than 60 000 plant/hm². Additionally, population structure under sowing date of June 4 achieved the highest PLI, demonstrating its great potential of structure-function for the yield improvement. PLI and yield were positively correlated, while their correlation coefficient declined over time during grain-filling period, indicating that the dry matter allocation might play more important roles on yield during the late grain-filling period. The decline of correlation coefficient also depended on variety; variety with erecter leaves could remain a higher coefficient value over time. 【Conclusion】The potential to further improve maize yield through increasing plant density  (＞75 000 plant/hm²) is limited at experimental site. Some strategies should be concerned, such as (1) applying varieties with erect leaves and long-lasting canopy structure persistence during late grain-filling period, and (2) adjusting sowing date according to climate situation to increase population photosynthesis at early grain-filling period.

Key words: maize (Zea mays L.), canopy structure, model, light interception, plant density, sowing date, yield