Intercropping summer and spring maize can affect the photosynthesis and yield of summer maize. Different maize cultivars have varying impacts on the characteristics and yield of summer maize when intercropped with spring maize. Late maturity spring maize cultivars can reduce important factors like leaf area and chlorophyll content in summer maize, affecting its photosynthesis after flowering. A new concept called photosynthetic productivity product (PPP) was introduced to better understand the relationship between characteristics and yield of summer maize. Medium maturity spring maize cultivars and late maturity summer maize cultivars are beneficial for total yield when intercropped. PPP is a useful tool for analyzing yield and quality in intercropping systems.