Wheat is the second most important food crop in India and world. One of the major difficulties faced in the wheat growing regions is the depletion of water resources at an alarming rate. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the use of the reduced amount of irrigation water would maintain the grain yield of popular Indian wheat variety HD2967. Water use, crop yield and water use efficiency of wheat were evaluated for three consecutive years under thirteen different irrigation treatments. Highest yield (5372.4 kgha−1) was recorded when crop was irrigated with full irrigation (60 mm of water at all five critical crop growth stages); which were statistically at par to yields recorded under 25% deficit irrigation (45 mm) at all growth stages. The treatment with 50% irrigation (30 mm) at all five growth stages although saved 50% water, yield penalty was also significant (4788.1 kgha−1 = 10.9% loss). Treatments with normal recommended practice (60 mm) have achieved lower water use efficiency (WUE) values (1.88 kg m-3) whereas, 25% deficit irrigation i.e. 45 mm at all five stages recorded significantly higher WUE (2.23 kgm-3) in sandy loam soils. The treatment where a total of 750 m3 water was saved per hectare was the most remunerative option in addition to saving of cost on water, electricity and labour. Adoption of 45 mm irrigation at all crop growth stages can enhance both irrigation water use efficiency without any yield penalty and can be adopted as a water saving mechanism in the regions of depleting water resources.
