Abstract: Seed quality is one of the key factors affecting crop yield. However, the traditional seed quality physiology and biochemical cannot meet the requirements for rapid testing. The application of spectral detection technology can effectively reduce the cost of maize seed inspection, improve inspection efficiency. In this paper, the quality of maize seed was taken as the research object. Based on the spectrum detection process of maize seed, the present situation and existing problems of the spectral detection technology in the aspects of maize seed vigor, moisture content and disease, variety and producing area were expounded. Spectral detection technology has been applied to the quality detection of maize seed, and the accuracy of the prediction model is about 90%. However, there are problems such as insufficient system city, application limitations, and low data processing efficiency. The trend of spectral detection technology in maize seed quality detection was analyzed from the aspects of systematic research, enhancement of practicality, and fusion of new algorithms. The application of spectral detection technology to the quality inspection of maize seed has crucial theoretical and practical significance.