To explore the effects of different tillage methods and seedbed compaction on soil physical properties, maize yield and its components, and provide a theoretical basis and technical support for formulating reasonable tillage methods in the semi-arid light chernozem area of western Jilin Province. Taking spring maize as the test crop, four treatments were set up: deep plowing + sowing + compaction (T₁), deep plowing + sowing (T₂), rotary tillage + sowing + compaction(T₃), rotary tillage + sowing(T₄). This study systematically analyzed the effects of different tillage methods combined with seedbed compaction on soil compaction, soil temperature, soil moisture content, soil bulk density, soil porosity, soil three-phase ratio, maize yield and its components. At the 5 cm sampling depth, compared with T₂, the daily average soil temperature of T₁ increased by 11.48% and soil compaction increased by 116.05%. At the 0-10 cm sampling depth, compared with T₂, T₁ had a 5.14% increase in soil moisture content, an 8.89% increase in soil bulk density, and a 10.61% decrease in soil porosity, with significant differences in soil three-phase ratio deviation and soil structure index(GSSI); compared with T₄, T₃ had a 15.27% increase in daily average soil temperature, a 67.44% increase in soil compaction, a 9.84% increase in soil moisture content, a 22.56% increase in soil bulk density, and a 13.44% decrease in soil porosity, with significant differences in soil three-phase ratio deviation and GSSI. For maize yield and its components, T₁ had the highest maize yield(12 246.58 kg/ha). Compared with T₂, T₁ had a 7.06% increase in average kernels per ear, a 5.12% increase in 1000-kernel weight, and a maize yield increase of 1 447.27 kg/ha(an increase of 13.40%); compared with T₄, T₃ had a 7.16% increase in average kernels per ear, a 5.65% increase in 1000-kernel weight, and a maize yield increase of 1 478.18 kg/ha(an increase of 13.98%), with significant differences. Different tillage methods combined with post-sowing compaction can significantly improve the soil plow layer structure and increase maize yield. The deep plowing + sowing + compaction treatment has the best yield-increasing effect, which can be further promoted and applied in high-yield and efficient maize cultivation in the semi-arid light chernozem area of western Jilin Province.