Abstract: Despite the abundance of brackish water in the Bohai Sea region, seasonal (winter and spring) drought is persistent in north China. A pot experiment was therefore conducted to explore the use of brackish water in irrigation before winter wheat sowing or in winter irrigation. Three winter wheat cultivars (irrigated/dry land cultivar “Shijiazhuang 8”, dry land cultivar “Jinmai 47” and salt-resistant cultivar “Xiaoyan 81”), ecologically adapted to the North China, were used in the study. The modes of seed germination, seedling growth and development were analyzed. The results suggested that “Shijiazhuang 8” and “Xiaoyan 81” seed germination was not affected by brackish water irrigation. However, the energy and rate of germination of “Jinmai 47” dropped significantly. Germ fresh weights of the 3 cultivars were irresponsive to brackish water treatment. While wheat root growth was retarded, shoot growth was enhanced by brackish water irrigation. Root/shoot ratio of “Shijiazhuang 8”, “Jinmai 47” and “Xiaoyan 81” decreased by 51.6%, 36.8% and 32.3%, respectively. The corresponding contents of chlorophyll, however, increased by 38.5%, 12.9% and 26.0%. On the average, brackish water enhanced shoot growth of winter wheat. Water use efficiencies of the 3 winter wheat cultivars increased under brackish water irrigation. The high water use efficiency was driven mainly by limited water consumption and saline water uptake due to retarded root growth.