[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the action of mutant gene o2 and its effect on nutritional quality of different maize combinations. [Method] A total of 33 normal maize combinations from 18 inbred lines were compared with 33 combinations including gene o2 from the corresponding o2 near-isogenic lines （o2-NILs）, to study the effect of o2 gene introduction on maize grain quality. [Result] The contents of lysine, protein and oil in o2-NILs were greatly more than that of normal maize combinations. Except for lysine, contents of other 14 amino acids changed when o2 gene was introduced. Contents of aspartic acid, threonine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, arginine and proline were improved; while contents of serine, glutamic acid, alanine, valine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine were decreased. Correlation analysis showed that contents of aspartic acid, arginine and threonine had the highest correlation with lysine content. Protein and oil contents had higher correlation with lysine content （0.48 and 0.38）. Analysis of 33 o2-NILs revealed that the o2 combinations CAL58×Ji477and CA156×196 showed high comprehensive quality and high yield with greater development potential. [Conclusion] This study will provide theoretical and material basis for improving the quality of temperate maize germplasm by introducing o2 gene.
