Abstract: Lodging resistance of maize(Zea mays) is attributed to the quantity and tensile properties of nodal roots.We planted Zhengdan 958(ZD 958) or Xianyu 335(XY 335) in larger plots under ridge tillage or no tillage,and compared the numbers of nodal roots per plant and higher nodal roots,and tensile forces and strengths of all nodal roots,respectively.The results showed that the total number of nodal roots and the number of nodal roots above the fifth wheel under ridge tillage were significantly higher than those under no tillage.The maximal tensile forces of nodal roots at the fourth node under ridge tillage were significantly higher than those under no tillage,while the tensile strengths of nodal roots at other nodes were not significant differences between ridge tillage and no tillage.In conclusion,higher nodes of maize were with more nodal roots under ridge tillage,which would be beneficial to lodging resistance of maize.