To investigate the physiological characteristics and water use of maize under alternate partial root-zone irrigation (AI), taking conventional irrigation as the control, the effects of AI on total dry mass, water use and physiological indices of maize plants were investigated under different water and fertilizer conditions and how these responses were recovered to the control levels when full irrigation was resumed, so as to provide scientific basis for the implementation of alternate partial root-zone irrigation for maize plants. Pot experiment was carried out at two nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels, two irrigation methods and different water deficit levels, i.e. normal irrigation (70%-80% θ_f, θ_f is field capacity), mild water deficit (60%-70% θ_f) and medium water deficit (50%-60% θ_f) for 18d at the early to middle jointing stage, and mild water deficit (60%-70% θ_f) and normal irrigation (70%-80% θ_f) for 18d at the middle jointing to tasseling stages after the early to middle jointing stage. Results indicate that compared to conventional irrigation, AI at the early jointing to tasseling stages did not significantly affect leaf chlorophyll, caroteniod, soluble sugar and proline contents, total dry mass and water use efficiency. Compared to normal irrigation level, mild water deficit at the early jointing to tasseling stages did not affect these indices significantly, either. Medium water deficit at the early to middle jointing stage decreased leaf chlorophyll content and total dry mass and increased leaf soluble sugar and proline contents, but resuming medium water deficit to normal irrigation at the middle jointing to tasseling stages could recover these indices to the control level. In addition, the indices were not affected by fertilization level. Thus the combination of mild water deficit, low NP and AI at the early jointing to tasseling stages can save water amount and fertilizer rate.