Abstract: A comprehensive review is presented of basic contents,principles and implementation steps of the total maximum daily load(TMDL) program,progress of the study on watershed models,such as the SWAT,HSPF and AnnAGNPS,commonly used in the implementation process of the TMDL both abroad and at home,and the study on best management practices(BMPs) adopted in implementation of TDML and uncertainty analysis of TMDL.The paper eventually discussed developmental trend of TMDL and prospects of the application of the technology in management of agricultural non-point source pollution by taking into account the status quo of the environmental protection and the technical system of total quantity control in China.