The xanthophyll cycle and non-radiative energy dissipation in detached maize (Zea mays L.) leaves produced significant changes under illumination. With the raising of light intensity, zeaxanthin(Z) content evidently rose, violaxanthin(V) content significantly decreased, antheraxanthin(A) content significantly increased in low and middle level lights, and then decreased slightly in strong lights. The xanthophyll cycle components pool size V+A+Z only enlarged a little. Under the same conditions，the non-radiative energy dissipation of leaves apparently enhanced，which was shown that non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) rapidly rose，while F_v/F_m apparently reduced. It was analysed that (Z+0.5A)/(V+A+Z) had exhibited apparently positive linear correlation with NPQ，and showed a negative correlation with F_v/F_m. Compared to (Z+0.5A)/(V+A+Z), (V+0.5A)/(V+A+Z) had showed contrary results. Based on the results, it was deduced that Z epoxidation and V deepoxidation had been significantly related to non-radiative energy dissipation and PSⅡ light energy conversion in detached maize leaves.