In arid and semi-arid regions, effluent from subsurface drainage is often saline and in the absence of natural outlet, its disposal is a serious environmental threat. A field experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil to evaluate the effects of conjunctive use of saline drainage water (EC iw = 7.2 -9.8 dS m 7 1 ; SAR = 8.4 -13.5) and non-saline canal water (EC iw = 0.3 -0.4; SAR = 0.6 -0.8) in different modes on soil salinity build-up, growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and succeeding sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L.). The results indicated that pre-plant irrigation with saline drainage water decreased the growth and yield of sunflower significantly. The effect was not significant when non-saline water was used for pre-plant irrigation. The mean relative grain yield of sunflower irrigated with only saline drainage water was 56.9%. Substitution of non-saline canal water for first two irrigations increased the yield to 87.2%. Alternate irrigations in different treatments resulted in yields of 65.8 to 81.9% of the potential. Sorghum fodder yield decreased significantly where all the irrigations were applied with saline drainage water to previous sunflower crop. Increased soil salinity and alkalinity hazards were eliminated by the subsurface drainage during the ensuing monsoon period.