[Introduction] Maize (Zea mays L.) morphological traits influence light attenuation within the canopy, and, ultimately, yield.The objectives of this 3-yr field study were to: (i) examine the morphological characteristics of specific genotypes using varieties of maize that were widely used in Chinese agriculture from the 1950s to the 2000s; (ii) assess the canopies and yields of maize populations in relation to changes in their morphological characteristics.