Improving Wheat Yield and Water-Use Efficiency by Optimizing Irrigations in Northern China

Achieving the goal of increasing both crop yield and water-use efficiency with a better irrigation regime is major challenge in semi-arid areas. In this study, we presented two-season field experiment (October 2018–June 2019 October 2019–June 2020) that considered drought stresses, i.e., no (W0), irrigated jointing (W1), flowering (W2) after re-greening, wheat varieties (S086; J22). The results showed 45.5% excess water input did not promote (W1 vs. W2). S086 was beneficial for usage soil consumption under low amount seasons. addition, positively affected activities superoxide dismutase catalase flag leaves (p < 0.05). A decrease helped to increase concentrations soluble sugar proline malondialdehyde content S086. For water- irrigation-water-use efficiency, W1 significantly increased by 20.6–21.7% 38.3–39.3% 2018–2019 23.4–24.4% 43.8–44.7% 2019–2020, respectively, as compared W2. Additionally, higher than J22 found deficit irrigation. Consequently, our study suggested variety combined total 165 mm might be recommended meet win–win high yields reducing ground depletion future.