Abstract: In order to investigate the effects of seed coat on seed germination and physiological characteristics, the seeds of four maize varieties including zhengdan 958, Xianyu 335, Liyu 16 and Dika 007 were used as materials. The results showed that the maximum water absorption of seed coat, the puncture force of testa-pericarp covering embryo（TCE） and TCE thickness of seed coat were different among the four cultivars. The three indexes of Zhengdan 958 were the highest, which were 1.02 g·50 seed^-1, 1.81 N and 53.33 μm, respectively. And, the germination index, shoot length, taproot length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight and root dry weight of 4 varieties were significantly increased compared with the control after the removal of TCE. In addition, at 25 ℃ for 60 h, the rupture rate of radicle sheath was significantly increased after germination for 60 h at 25 ℃, and the activities of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the middle of embryo, radicle and radicle sheath showed an upward trend. Correlation analysis of different seed quality indexes showed that TCE puncture force was positively correlated with TCE thickness, which was positively correlated with germination potential, average germination days and total starch content of seeds, but there was negative correlation with shoot（seedling） length, taproot length, fresh shoot（seedling） weight, dry shoot（seedling） weight, fresh root weight, dry root weight and crude fat content of seeds. The results showed that the biological characteristics of maize seed coat, especially TCE, affected seed germination and physiological characteristics, which could provide a theoretical basis for further research on the mechanism of maize seed germination regulation and high vigor formation.