The experiment was conducted in irrigated lowlands and followed alternate wetting and drying (AWD) practices by using field water tubes. The site had sandy clay soil. Grain yield was 6.0–7.2 t ha−1 with AWD irrigation and 7.5 t ha−1 with continuous submergence irrigation. Non‐significant (P > 0.05) difference was registered in yield attributes and grain yield between continuous submergence of irrigation and I5 (AWD irrigation regime of 5 cm submergence depth from 15 DAT (days after transplanting) to physiological maturity when the ponded water level drops to 5 cm below ground level) and I6 (AWD irrigation regime of 5 cm submergence depth from 15 DAT to physiological maturity when the ponded water level drops to 10 cm below ground level). There was a decrease in yield attributes and grain yield with the I4 (AWD irrigation regime of 3 cm submergence depth from 15 DAT to physiological maturity when the ponded water level drops to 15 cm below ground level). Of various irrigation regimes, AWD irrigation regimes of I5 ( 57 900 ha−1) and I6 ( 56 500 ha−1) registered higher net returns with a B: C ratio of 1.27 and 1.29, respectively, owing to higher grain yield coupled with lower application of water. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Water plays an important role in augmenting the growth and development of crop plants in their different stages of ontogeny. Since water is the life line for accruing desired yield levels, its time of application and method of application plays an important role in increasing the yield levels besides saving water. Further, water is the prime natural resource, which is often costly and limiting input particularly in arid and semi arid regions, hence needs judicious use to reap the maximum benefit from this limiting resource. Off late, among irrigation methods, drip irrigation is receiving better appreciation, acceptance, adaption and plays an important role in saving the water in water scarce areas. It enables the efficient use of limited water with higher water use efficiency. Optimum irrigation levels with suitable method would help in enhancing the economic yield as well as water use efficiency in many field crops including sunflower crop in line with the high value commercial and horticultural crops.