Abstract: In order to study the effects of disinfectants on the growth of maize seeds and seedlings, Ningdan 33 maize was used as material to disinfect maize seeds with 6 % NaClO, 1% CuSO₄, 0.1 % HgCl₂, 4% Phenol and 75 % Ethanol solution. The effects of disinfectant on the disinfection effect, germination index, seedling growth, amylase activity, SOD activity, CAT activity and MDA content of maize seeds were analyzed. The results showed that HgCl₂ had the lowest contamination rate and the best disinfection effect. Phenol inhibited the germination of corn seeds, CuSO₄ and Ethanol inhibited the root growth of corn seedlings, and Ethanol also reduced the fresh weight of corn seedlings. The results of enzyme determination showed that HgCl₂ significantly decreased α-amylase activity, while Ethanol, NaClO, CuSO₄ and HgCl₂ significantly decreased β-amylase activity. Both CuSO₄ and Ethanol significantly promoted SOD activity, HgCl₂ significantly promoted CAT activity, while NaClO increased CAT activity and also caused the accumulation of MDA.Consequently, 0.1 % HgCl₂ was the most suitable for maize seed disinfection.