To study stalk characteristics and diversity of different main groups on maize in China is an important step for harvesting maize by mechanical means. In this study, seventy common maize inbred lines, derived from five groups of Lancaster, PB, Sipingtou, Lüda Red Cob and Reid respectively, were using to investigate their stalk-related traits, i.e. stem height (SH), ear height (EH), ear position coefficient (EPC), stem node number (SN), ear node (EN), ear node coefficient (ENC), internode length of ear (IL), internode diameter of ear (ID), stem fresh weight (FW), stem dry weight (DW), brix and moisture content (MC). A higher phenotypic variation existed in Sipingtou and Lüda Red Cob group, both of which are the local germplasms in China. At the filling stage, the moisture content of maize stalk became stable. A significant correlation in maize plant height and internode length was observed, while the number of internodes between ear and tassel was relatively constant. The sugar content of maize stalk was correlated to the length of internode, the diameter of stem and the location of ear. It’s more effective through lowering ear locating node to reduce ear height. Furthermore, maize stalk exists distint characteristics among different groups. For examples, Lancaster group has less stem node, Reid group has greater internode diameter while PB group has less one, Lüda Red Cob group has greater internode diameter and less internode length, Sipingtou group has shorter stem, less brix and dry weight. There has strong heterosis of biomass and grain yield in Lancaster × Sipingtou and Lancaster × PB. It’s an alternative strategy of mechanization breeding utilizing China local germplasm with the longer internode and the lower ear node. These results could provide important reference for maize breeding.