The effects of planting model on the water use efficiency and yield composition of summer maize under irrigated land conditions were discussed in order to provide a basis for high and stable yield cultivation of summer maize. Denghai 685 was used as the experimental material, the effects of different planting densities (6.00×10⁴, 6.75×10⁴, 7.50×10⁴ plants/hm²) on the growth and development, yield, nutrient absorption and water utilization rate of summer maize under wide ridge and furrow planting and equal row spacing horizontal planting models were studied. The results showed that the furrow planting increased the plant height and reduced the stem diameter and dry matter weight per plant. For the summer maize of furrow planting mode, the panicle traits were better than that of planar planting, single panicle weight increased, and was less affected by planting density, showing obvious edge row advantage. The relative chlorophyll content of maize leaves in furrow planting mode was always higher than that in planar planting mode, and the growth period was extended, which provided material guarantee for the later grain formation. When the planting density was 7.50×10⁴ plants/hm², summer maize yield in furrow planting mode was the highest. In the furrow planting mode, the irrigation water amount of summer maize decreased by 52.9% compared with planter planting, the irrigation time decreased by 50.1%, the average daily evaporation reduced, and the water content was higher than that of the planter planting. As a result, the utilization efficiency of irrigation water increased by 139.5% and the average water utilization efficiency increased by 16.7%. Wide ridge and furrow planting was a water-saving planting mode for increasing yield and efficiency of summer maize, which could significantly improve water use efficiency of maize.