Abstract: Based on the data of 85 meteorological stations from 1961 to 2000 in Yellow River Basin, water requirements of main crops were calculated by using the Penman-Monteith model of FAO nominated in 1998 and consulting crop method. Results showed that the water deficit of winter wheat varied from 250 mm to 500 mm during the whole growing period, while it gradually increased from the south to the north of the region. The maximum water deficit of summer maize during growing period was with 200 mm occurred in the Guanzhong Plain, Shaanxi Province and reduced gradually to the east of the Yellow River Basin. The water deficit of spring wheat increased gradually from the south to the north with 200 mm to 500 mm, which was mostly affected by the rainfall. The water deficit of spring maize in the growing period varied from 0 mm to 400 mm, which increased gradually from the south to the north of the region.

Key words: Crop water requirement, Crop water requirement, Rainfall, Pattern, Yellow River Basin