Light is one of the most important environmental factor influecing the growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.). Sufficient light during the growing period is the basis of high yield formation of maize. However, there are always prolonged rainy days during maize growing season in the Huang-huai-hai region, which are detrimental for maize yield formation. And prolonged rainy days at flowering stage bring more severe damage to maize production. Low-light environment leads to a decrease in photosynthetic rate, a reduction and redistribution of biomass, an extension of anthesis to silking interval, and a significant reduction of ear kernel number and grain yield. And there are significant differences in maize genotypes responses to low light stress. Previous studies have elucidated the effects of endogenous hormones on the apical kernels abortion and under low-light stress. However, whether the endogenous hormones have influence on the whole ear development process is unknown. A split plot experiment was conducted under field conditions during 2010 and 2011, to study the effects of shading and light recovery on the growth and development of maize ear and endogenous hormones of two maize hybrids. The main plots are light treatment (natural light and 50% shading) and sub-plots are cultivars (low light sensitive hybrid YY22 and low light tolerance hybrid ZD958). In the low light treatment, maize plants were shaded with 50% transmittance shading nets from 3 days before tasselling to 10 days after silking. The results showed that the growth and development of maize ear was delayed, ear length, ear diameter, ear dry weight, ear row number, kernel number and kernel sink capacity were significantly decreased while barren tip increased under low light conditions with low light sensitive maize hybrids changed more. Spikelet ovary in ear apical showed signs of abortion at silking stage. The abortion progress of the kernel could not be disrupted by the recovery of natural light. ABA and ZR content of both maize hybrids ears increased under low-light stress while GA content and GA/ABA ratio of both maize hybrids decreased. IAA content and IAA/ABA ratio of ZD958 was increased while YY22 decreased. The recovery of natural light in a short time had little effect on the established hormone synthetic mechanisms.