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Water deficit is a major problem in semi arid regions of Pakistan. It affects plant growth, yield and eventually leads to a considerable crop failure. Although maize (Zea mays L.) is susceptible to water deficit there is a marked genotypic variation in rooting density, morphological and physiological characteristics in maize. A green house experiment was conducted to study the response of spring maize plant growth to soil moisture content under controlled conditions. The seeds of eight maize hybrids (FH 421, FH 810, Pioneer 32-F-10, Pioneer 32-W-86, Monsanto 919, Monsanto 6525, NK 8441 & SS 5050) were sown in pots having the capacity of eight kg soil. A factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used. The two field capacities (75% & 100%) were maintained after the reduction of 30% soil moisture. Monsanto 919 performed better in both levels with maximum plant height, leaf area per plant, water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential and minimum relative saturation deficit, while maize hybrid FH 810 remained sensitive at deficit irrigation (75% field capacity). (C) 2011 Friends Science Publishers