Abstract:Root systems play an important role in uptake of water and nutrients by winter wheat from soil. The spatiotemporal distribution of roots can be influenced by irrigation strategies. In this study, the influence of three irrigation treatments on spatiotemporal root distribution of late-sowing winter wheat and soil water consumption was investigated in seriously water-deficit North China Plain. The winter wheat cultivar Shimai15 was used as test material. The three irrigation treatments were no irrigation after sowing (W0), 75-mm irrigation at jointing stage (W1), three 75-mm irrigations respectively at double ridge stage, booting stage, and grain-filling stage (W3). Spatiotemporal distribution of roots, soil water consumption in 0-200cm soil depth and winter wheat yield were measured under field condition. The investigated root parameters include dry root weight density (DRWD), root length density (RLD), root volume density, and root branch numbers. The results showed that with decreasing irrigation, the dry root weight density (DRWD), root length density (RLD), root volume density, and root branch numbers decreased after flowering above 80cm soil depth, but increased significantly within 80-200cm soil depth. Soil water consumption beneath 100cm soil depth increased significantly during grain filling period. Total water consumption of W1 and W0 were respectively 70.9mm and 115.1mm less than W3, but soil water consumptions of W1 and W0 were respectively 79.1mm and 108.9mm more than W3. Grain yield of W1 and W0 were 653.3kg/hm2 and 1470 kg/hm2 less than W3 respectively. Water use efficiency (WUE) of W1 and W0 were 0.09kg/m3 and 0.06kg/m3 higher than W3 respectively. One time irrigation at jointing stage for late-sowing winter wheat could promote root penetration, increase root density and utilization of water in deep soil, and help to realize the unity of water saving and high yield.