In this study, the effect of drought stress at different growing stages (tillering, jointing‐booting, heading‐flowering, and filling‐maturing) on the qualities of wheat flour and steamed bread was investigated using three winter wheat varieties (Huaimai 58, Yannong 19, Aikang 58). As for Huaimai 58, all stages of drought treatments significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased the flour extraction rate and protein content, dough extensibility and tenacity, and steamed bread‐making performance when compared with the control group (normal‐irrigation). Among the growing stages, the filling‐maturing stage exhibited the most significant effect on the steamed bread‐making performance of Huaimai 58, which decreased the specific volume of steamed bread by 29.5% and increased its hardness by 166.5%. As for Yannong 19 and Aikang 58, drought treatments at heading‐flowering and filling‐maturing stages significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased the extraction rate of wheat flour while increasing the flour protein content, dough extensibility and tenacity, and steamed bread‐making performance, indicating the flour and steamed bread‐making qualities of Yannong 19 and Aikang 58 were favored by drought treatments. Overall, drought treatments showed different effects on the wheat flour and steamed bread qualities in the three winter wheat varieties, with the filling‐maturing stage drought treatment exerting the most significant effect on the steamed bread‐making performance.

In this study, the effect of waterlogging stress at the stem elongation stage on the wheat grain yield, grain traits, and quality of Chinese southern-type steamed bread was investigated in a field experiment using three winter wheat varieties (Aikang 58, Yannong 19, and Huaimai 44). Waterlogging stress significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the grain yields of the three wheat varieties, and Aikang 58 was the most tolerant variety, achieving a 90.8% yield compared with that of the control (normal irrigation). A grain component analysis showed that waterlogging significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the ratios of glutenin to gliadin and amylopectin to amylose in wheat grain. A Mixolab analysis showed that waterlogging significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the dough development time; stability; and C2, C3, C4, and C5 values of the three wheat varieties. A steamed bread-making test showed that steamed bread made from Aikang 58 under waterlogging conditions showed a lighter color, a higher specific volume, and a lower hardness than that made from Yannong 19 and Huaimai 44 under waterlogging conditions. Overall, waterlogging showed different effects on the wheat grain and steamed bread qualities in the three wheat varieties, with Aikang 58 exerting the best performance under waterlogging conditions.

Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) is a core indicator for assessing agricultural water use efficiency. However, existing studies predominantly focus on linear relationships between IWUE and individual correlates, with insufficient attention to the nonlinear interactions among multiple factors and the staged pathways of IWUE improvement. Taking 153 large- and medium-sized irrigation districts in Anhui Province as a case study, this research identifies seven key influencing factors—including canal lining rate (CLR), proportion of water-saving irrigation area (WSIR), and water price (WP)—and employs a random forest model coupled with SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) interpretability analysis to uncover the driving mechanisms and enhancement pathways of IWUE. The results reveal that CLR, WSIR, and WP are the top three correlates, collectively contributing 67.80% to IWUE variation, with CLR being the most influential (28.75%). Their effects exhibit strong nonlinearity and threshold behavior: the marginal benefit of CLR diminishes significantly beyond approximately 75%; the optimal incentive range for WP lies between 0.09 and 0.14 CNY/m³; and precipitation exerts a persistent negative constraint. Moreover, IWUE improvement follows a sequential hierarchy: CLR serves as the foundational prerequisite; once CLR reaches a certain threshold, advancing WSIR becomes essential; and further gains require synergistic interaction between WSIR and WP after both attain sufficient levels. This study elucidates the nonlinear response mechanisms and stage-dependent driving patterns of IWUE, offering scientific insights and quantitative support for targeted, precision-oriented upgrades of irrigation infrastructure in Anhui Province and analogous humid/semi-humid regions, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural water management.

Controlled drainage technology in farmland not only raises groundwater levels to provide additional water directly to crops but also improves rainfall utilization efficiency, thereby helping to alleviate agricultural water scarcity. In 2002, a large-scale field research area covering 80 km² was established and equipped with controlled sluices, a weather station, groundwater observation wells, and monitoring gauges. An analysis of the impacts of controlled projects on water levels in the main drainage ditches, groundwater dynamics, drainage processes, and overall water resource regulation showed that the average water storage capacity in the main ditches increased to 1.14 m, the groundwater level rose by 0.64 m, and the total volume of water regulated through the sluice control project ac-counted for approximately 10% of the annual precipitation. Therefore, implementing controlled drainage in main ditches for agricultural water resource regulation represents an effective strategy suited to the characteristics of the Huaibei Plain. This approach not only mitigates water scarcity but also enhances the farmland ecological environment and supports the rational spatiotemporal allocation of regional water resources. Moreover, it provides valuable insights for other regions facing similar challenges.