Abstract: 【Objective】To elucidate the effects of planting patterns and densities on leaf characteristics and yield of maize in the arid zone of central Ningxia,thereby providing a basis for achieving high and stable maize yields. 【Methods】Using the maize variety Ningdan 52 as the experimental material,a two-factor,four-level field experiment was conducted with planting patterns [Equidistant row spacing one plant per hole（control）,wide and narrow of row spacing one plant per hole,wide and narrow of row spacing two plants per hole,wide and narrow of row spacing three plants per hole] and planting densities（75 000,82 500,90 000,97 500 plant/hm²）. The effects of planting patterns and densities on relative chlorophyll content （SPAD value） in maize leaves,leaf area index,ear leaf area,ear trait characteristics,yield,and yield components were analyzed.【Results】At the tasseling silking stage and mature stage of maize,the SPAD values of leaves under the wide and narrow of row spacing two plants per hole and 82 500 plant/hm² treatment were the highest（62.60 and 59.57,respectively）. During the filling stage of maize,the SPAD value of leaves under the wide and narrow of row spacing one plant per hole and 75 000 plant/hm² treatment was the highest（61.05）. Among different planting patterns,the average leaf area index of maize under the equidistant row spacing one plant per hole treatment was the highest（5.08）,and the average ear leaf area of maize under the wide and narrow of row spacing two plants per hole treatment was the highest（690.64 cm²）. Among different planting densities,the average ear leaf area index of maize under the 90 000 plant/hm² treatment was the highest（5.04）,and the average ear leaf area of maize under the 75 000 plant/hm² treatment was the highest（736.63 cm²）. The number of kernels per ear,100-kernel weight,and kernel weight under the wide and narrow of row spacing one plant per hole and 75 000 plant/hm² treatment were the highest（665.33 kernels,38.00 g,and 238.16 g,respectively）. The maize yield under the wide and narrow of row spacing one plant per hole and 82 500 plant/hm² treatment was the highest（18 929.00 kg/hm²）.【Conclusion】The appropriate combination of planting pattern and density can effectively regulate the distribution of canopy leaves,SPAD values,and leaf area index of maize,and increase yield. Comprehensively considering yield and seed cost factors,the wide and narrow of row spacing one plant per hole and 82 500 plant/hm² treatment represents a high-yield,high-efficiency,water-saving,and fertilizer-saving technology suitable for promotion and application in the arid zone of central Ningxia.

Key words: Planting pattern, Planting density, Maize, Leaf characteristics, Yield