Abstract: A total of ten widely cultivated maize elite inbred lines were researched in regeneration abilities. Primary callus were easily induced in ten maize cultivars, but the frequencies of embryogenesis callus were different. The results showed maize elite inbred lines 178 had been successfully regenerated and the frequencies were 78 %.An efficient maize regeneration system was developed using mature embryos. Some factors affecting plant regeneration from mature embryos were investigated. The results showed that medium including 4.0 mg/L 2, 4-D was capable to producing primary callus. Among different concentrations of phytohormone, 2.0 mg/L 2, 4-D in combination of 0.2 mg/L BA and 10 mg/L silver nitrate produced the best results, which promoted the formation of embryogenic callus in the subculture medium. And 0.5 mg/L 6-BA has significantly increased the frequency of plant regeneration in the regeneration medium. Using this system, the plantlets were regenerated from maize elite inbred lines 178, providing a powerful basis for genetic transformation of maize.