The genetic characteristics and phenotypic variations of husk traits of maize inbred lines in five heterotic groups were analyzed.Effects of environments by observing the performance of four husk traits was studied under two different environments in China. Husk traits are primarily controlled by genes. The heritability of husk length was high,but that of husk number,total husk thickness and husk width was moderate. Husk length was significantly positively correlated with husk width. The significant differences were found among maize heterotic groups in the decreasing order of husk length,husk width,number,and total husk thickness. There is no significant difference of all husk traits between two different environment except total husk thickness in Lancaster group. It is indicated that most maize husk traits can be genetically improved directly via breeding.The genetic improvement targeting one trait of husk can synchronously modify the other traits of husk significantly correlated with the target trait. The husk traits in Lancaster and Tangsipingtou are more beneficial to the grain dehydration,with modest husk number and length,indicating that the two heterotic groups might be used as the important germplasm for improving bract leaf traits.