Abstract: The relationship between grain yield and water use efficiency with the total water consumption of winter wheat and maize in the piedmont of Mountain Taihang was studied. This study was based on field experimentation at Luancheng Station from 1998 to 2001. The sensitivity index to water stress and the lower limit for soil moisture at different growing stages of the two crops, as well as optimal irrigation scheduling, were determined. The measuring of the leaf water potential and the difference between canopy temperature and ambient air temperature were carried out and their relationship with soil moisture was established. An index system including lower limit of soil moisture, leaf water potential and the temperature difference of canopy from air was provided for irrigation scheduling.