Enhancing maize yield through understanding the novel shoot-root interaction in morphology among hybrids with dense planting

•We studied the shoot-root interaction under dense planting with different hybrids.•2-yr field experiment with hybrids of JNK728, ZD958 and XY335 were conducted.•XY335 had the highest grain yield and higher above-ground dry matter (AGDM).•XY335 had a compact plant phenotype with a larger, lower senescence root system.•XY335 had more AGDM with less root decrease under dense planting.