Abstract: In this paper,research on abundance-deficiency index(ADI)of soil N for maize(SNFM)and appropriate nitrogen fertilizer application rate(ANFAR)conducted in China since the 1980 s were systematically summarized.The results showed that the ADI of soil alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen for maize(SAHNFM)in China had not changed significantly in 30 years.There were considerable differences in their ADI of SNFM in different regions,and the ADI of SAHNFM for 90%relative yield(RY)of the complete nutrients treatment except nitrogen(TCNTEN)ranged between 99~385 mg/kg.Researches on ADI of SNFM in China had many blank regions.Soil N deficiency for corn in China were common,and the abundance-deficiency levels of SNFC focused on the comparatively low level 4 and 5,and the RY of TCNTEN were most of between 60%～80%.The ADI of SAHNFC in the same natural region could be integrated by theoretical data.For research on ADI of soil nutrient,the number of trial sites should not be too little,and the soil nutrient contents of trial sites should not be too centralized,and one extrapolating data for the high-end and low-end of ADI can be used,but should be noted.The ANFAR for different abundance-deficiency levels of SNFM could be determined with methods of nutrient balance and dissimilar subtraction of soil fertility.ANFAR and the abundance-deficiency level of SNFM are linear negative correlation.ANFAR and the yield goal are linear positive correlation.ANFAR and the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency in current season(NFUEICS)are linear negative correlation.When the NFUEICS of 40%and the target yield of 10.5 t/hm2,the ANFAR for the SNFM abundance-deficiency level 1～7 from high to low are 0,60,121,181,242,302 and 362 kg/hm2,respectively.