Comprehensive Mega-Data Analysis of Water Use Efficiency in Winter Wheat and Its Influencing Factors

Increasing water use efficiency (WUE) is a key way to produce high crop yield under water resources deficit regions. North China produces approximately 60% of the total Chinese wheat while suffering great water shortages. Therefore, this paper aims to find out the main factors and their mechanisms that affect the WUE of winter wheat in North China. In this study, we analyzed the yield and the WUE of winter wheat and the influencing factors based on mega data from published papers. We found that climate conditions, irrigation and fertilization management, and tillage measures are the three main factors that greatly influence wheat yield production. Aiming for high yield and WUE in North China, the optimal average annual temperature is 10–15 °C, and seasonal precipitation is 150–200 mm. The recommended optimal irrigation water amount is 160–240 mm and the suitable irrigation methods are drip and sprinkler irrigation. The optimal application amount of both nitrogen and phosphorous (equivalent to P2O5) is 150–200 kg·ha−1. Both deep loosening tillage and rotary tillage can produce higher yield and WUE. Ridge and flat cultivation produce similar wheat yield and WUE, and flat cultivation is recommended due to its’ ease of machine working. The results of this study can help farmers and agricultural extension specialists select appropriate methods to enhance wheat yield and WUE and may help develop a sustainable agriculture system for high wheat production in North China.