| The pot experiment was conducted to investigate the water consumption, biomass yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of 12 maize varieties under water-controlling condition. The results showed that there existed remarkable or extremely remarkable differences in water consumption, dry matter accumulation and WUE among different varieties. In all the tested varieties, Zhengdan 958, Yedan 13 and Shaandan 911 belonged to the group with high water use efficiency, high yield and high water consumption; Zhongdan 2 belonged to the group with high water use efficiency, mid yield and mid water consumption; Nongda 60 and Shaandan 902 belonged to the group with high water use efficiency, mid yield and strong water saving; Hudan 1, Yedan 19 and Shendan 10 belonged to the group with mid water use efficiency, mid yield and strong water saving; and Hudan 4, Shaandan 9 and Danyu 13 belonged to the group with low water use efficiency, low biomass yield and strong water saving. |