Crop yield is of a quantitative nature. Two complementary approaches linkage mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) have been employed for the identification of loci influencing maize yield. In previous research, we meta-analyzed QTL for maize yield. Here, we tried to integrate meta-QTL and GWAS analyses to dissect candidate genes for maize yield. A total of seven candidate genes were detected by both meta-QTL and two independent GWAS analyses. Functional annotation indicated that some candidate genes were responsible for the maintenance and differentiation of maize inflorescence meristem that directly affect yield productivity. In addition, well-characterized genes for maize yield-related traits, including SBP-box family member unbranched3 (ub3) for maize ear row number, zea floricaula/leafy1 (zfl1) for maize inflorescence architecture and reproductive transition were detected by the integrated meta-QTL and GWAS analyses. Expression analysis showed that some candidate genes were preferentially expressed in maize rapidly proliferated tissues, including shoot apex, tassel, and ear primordia, which influence maize inflorescence architecture and yield performance. Some candidate genes were hypothesized to be selected during maize domestication and improvement. Results presented here will not only facilitate the cloning of yield-related genes, and provide guidance in breeding of plants with high-yield productivity.