The balanced scientifically fertilization is significant to the growth，development，and photosynthetic performance of spring maize. A long-term fertilization field experiment was conducted at arid Loess Plateau region of Longdong in 1978 with six treatments，including no fertilization(CK)，nitrogen fertilization alone(N)，nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization(NP)，straw returning combined with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization(SNP)，organic fertilizer(M)，and organic fertilizer combined with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization(MNP). The study examined the effects of different fertilization treatments on the main growth and development indicators，photosynthetic performance，and yield of spring maize. The results showed that from the seedling stage to the wax maturity stage，the M，MNP，NP，and SNP treatments accelerated the maize growth process by 3-14 d compared to the CK and N treatments，with 1-4 leaves unfolded during the leaf expansion period. Afterward，the growth process was delayed by 4-14 d. The MNP，M，SNP，and NP treatments significantly improved leaf area，leaf area index，photosynthetic potential，and chlorophyll content in functional leaves from the jointing stage to maturity，compared to the CK and N treatments. Among them，MNP and M treatments showed the most significant improvement in maize photosynthetic performance. Except for the N treatment，all fertilization treatments significantly increased maize grain yield and the total biomass of the population. Compared to the CK treatment，the average grain yield increased by 224.9%，183.7%，170.8%，150.0% for the MNP，M，SNP，and NP treatments，respectively. The aboveground biomass increased by 181.1%，190.3%，147.0%，and 136.8%，respectively，while the underground biomass increased by 151.8%，164.3%，104.3%，and 91.0% for the same treatments. From a comprehensive perspective，applying only nitrogen fertilizer could lead to premature senescence of maize in the later growth stages，resulting in weaker photosynthetic performance and lower yield. The yield was comparable to no fertilization treatment. The application of organic fertilizer and organic fertilizer combined with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer could promote the improvement of photosynthetic performance and yield of spring maize. These fertilization strategies were suitable for the farming practices in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Longdong Plateau.