[Objectives] Nitrogen absorption efficiency could be reflected by chlorate tolerance.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chlorate treatment on the phenotype, enzyme activity and absorption of the nutrient element at maize seedling stage, and to screen the inbred lines with different chlorate tolerance. [Methods] In this study, six maize inbred lines including Mo17, Dan340, Wu312, Y53, Ye478 and B73, were planted under 4 mmol·L-1 KNO3 (CK), 2 mmol·L-1 KClO3 (T1) and 4 mmol·L-1 KClO3 (T2)conditions, respectively.A total of eight phenotypic traits, four leaf enzyme activity, concentration of protein, and mineral nutrients were evaluated. [Results] The results showed that chlorate could significantly inhibit the phenotypic traits of maize inbred lines, especially for plant height, leaf length, SPAD value and shoot dry weight, with an average decrease of more than 38.96%, 37.93%, 55.85% and 31.58%, respectively.The effects of chlorate on the enzyme activity of maize inbred lines showed a significant increase in content of protein (Cpr), while glutamate synthase(GOGAT)decreased significantly.The absorption of N and Zn was inhibited by chlorate treatment in maize. [Conclusions] The responses of plant height, leaf length, SPAD value and shoot dry weight to the chlorate could be used as a valid index to identify inbred lines with chlorate tolerance.According to the responses of shoot dry weight to the chlorate, we found that B73, Y53 and Wu312 were chlorate sensitive varieties; and Mo17, Ye478 and Dan340 were chlorate tolerant varieties.These foundings provide a new idea to screen maize inbred lines with high efficiency absorption of nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]