Abstract: A knowledge of plant interactions above and below ground with respect to water is essential to understand the performance of intercroping systems. The progress of water partitioning and use in intercropping systems was summarized, which included the water partitioning in intercrops, the crop water requirement models for intercropping systems, and the root water uptake model in intercropping systems. The problems of studies in this field were also point out. Furthermore, the trend of research and development in the future was prospected.