This study investigated the variations in the characteristics of dry matter accumulation and water and nitrogen utilization of spring maize under long-term fertilization conditions in the Loess plateau of eastern Gansu，based on the long-term fertilizer positioning experiment of black loess soil，which was established in 1978 in Gaoping town，Pingliang city，Gansu province.Six treatments were included，namely:no fertilization，nitrogen alone，nitrogen and phosphorus，straw return combined with nitrogen and phosphorus，manure alone，manure combined with nitrogen and phosphorous.The results showed that the grain yield and dry matter accumulation of spring maize with long-term manure application alone increased by 20.24% and 20.62%，respectively，compared with those under the nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization.Fertilization promoted the conversion of nutrients to the grain part，increased the proportion of maize grains in dry matter by 3.84–6.99 percentage points.The combined application of manure with nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased the quantity of dry matter translocation prior to flowering.Meanwhile，the combined application of straw with nitrogen and phosphorus significantly enhanced the contribution rate of post-flowering dry matter accumulation to grains.Nevertheless，the optimization effect achieved by the application of manure alone exhibited the most balanced performance.All fertilization measures except the application of nitrogen alone significantly enhanced the water use efficiency，while the application of manure significantly increased the soil moisture in the 0–100 cm soil layer.The application of manure alone was the most effective in promoting nitrogen nutrient absorption by the above-ground parts of the plant(including maize grains).The combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in conjunction with other fertilizers enabled a more efficient utilization of nitrogen fertilizer.However，the amount of nitrogen application should be controlled within the range required by the upper limit of maize yield.The results of principal component analysis demonstrated that the combined application of straw with nitrogen and phosphorus had the most optimal effect on the accumulation and translocation of dry matter in maize，followed by the application of manure alone.In conclusion，in the black loess soil of the Loess plateau of eastern Gansu，long-term application of manure could effectively promote the dry matter accumulation of spring maize and the efficient utilization of water and nitrogen.It could fully unleash the effect of water–fertilizer coupling and ensure the sustainable development of agriculture.