Water resource deficiency is one of major problems in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the North Plain. Irrigation plays an important role in achieving high grain yield and quality. In this study

to determine the effects of different applications of inorganic and organic nitrogen fertilizer on water consumption characteristics

dry matter accumulation and allocation

grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat

a long-term field experiment was conducted using the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Shimai 15 under winter wheat/maize rotation in the North China Plain from 2013 to 2015. The source of organic nitrogen was cow manure

and four fertilization modes were included

i.e.

single application of organic manure (M)

mixed application of urea and manure (U+M)

single application of urea (U)

and no N fertilizer application (CK). The results showed that types of fertilizer and fertilization way obviously influenced water consumption characteristics and water use efficiency of winter wheat. Crop water consumption of U+M was higher

reaching 548.46 mm to 556.72 mm and showed no significant difference from that of U in two growing seasons. In all growth stages

the water consumption

water consumption model coefficient of U+M was the highest in the stage of flowering to maturity

the water consumption that allocated to the flowering to maturity accounted for 33.55% to 42.38% of the total water consumption. The mixed application of urea and manure increased the consumption of soil water

especially the deep water storage. Soil water storage consumption of U treatment was the highest

but that of U+M treatment was distributed more in the grouting phase. Leaching of the U+M treatment was the lowest

which was 66.79%

52.45% and 37.61% lower than those of other treatments. U+M treatment had the highest dry matter accumulation in two growing seasons

which was 11.9% and 22.3% higher than those in the U and M treatments

respectively. The grain dry matter accumulation and grain dry matter distribution ratio in the U+M treatment were significant higher than those in other treatments. The yield of U+M

U

and M treatments increased by 65.96%

49.44%

and 46.59% compared with CK

respectively. The grain yield water use efficiency and dry matter water use efficiency of U+M treatment were significantly higher thanthose in other treatments in the two growing seasons. In conclusion

application of chemical fertilizer and organic manure is a reasonable way of fertilization under wheat/maize rotation system in the Huanghuaihai area

it can significantly increase grain yield and dry matter accumulation

improve water consumption characteristics of winter wheat

increase crop water consumption

significantly reduce water leaching loss

increased water supply during the grain filling stage

and increase the water use efficiency of winter wheat.