The aim of this paper is to study the inheritance pattern of ear tip-barrenness trait in maize （Zea mays L.）. Ear tipbarrenness trait in maize can be classified into two types, tip-barren and tip-barrenless. Two inbred lines, lx01-3 （tipbarrenless type）, wx04-1 （tip-barren type）, and their F1, F2, BC1, BC2 generations were analyzed on their ear tip-barrenness types. Results showed that F1 was tip-barren type; the ratio of tip-barren type versus tip-barrenless type followed a 12.78： 1 ratio in F2 segregation population and a 2.75：1 ratio in BC1. Z2 test indicated that the trait of ear tip-barrenness type followed an inheritance pattern of 2 duplicate dominant genes. SPSS analysis indicated that the trait of ear tip-barrenness length is of abnormal distribution. Above results mean that： （1） The trait of maize ear tip-barrenness type is controlled by 2 duplicate dominant genes; tip-barren type is dominant over tip-barrenless type; （2） the trait of tip-barrenness length is a quantitative character controlled by polygene with major genes expected.
