Abstract: In order to apply the controlled irrigation technique for rice planting more reasonably, the effect of controlled irrigation in a single growing stage on rice growth and yield was studied. Water control was launched in tillering (FN) and milk stage (RS) respectively, and in each stage, soil water content [80% (FN1, RS1), and 90% (FN2, RS2), respectively] was controlled. The results showed that, compared to check treatment, water control decreased irrigation times and amount; compensatory effect appeared as controlled irrigation implemented in tillering stage while it was unobvious implemented in milk stage. Controlled irrigation was against rice growth but conductive to the number and effective number of grain per ear, while it had little effect on thousand seed weight. Though controlled irrigation saved irrigation water apparently, it decreased yield obviously, FN1, FN2, RS1 and RS2 saved irrigation water about 21.1%, 16.2%, 29.4% and 18.1%, while yield decreased 27.8%, 26.8%, 29.5% and 19.2%. Since reduction of output was more than water saving for controlled irrigation during the tillering stage, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of the treatment decreased 8.5%-12.7%, while IWUE little varied as controlled irrigation implemented in milk stage. Therefore, from the production aspect, to get higher IWUE while irrigation water limited, controlled irrigation at milk stage should be concerned, while controlled irrigation at tillering stage should be avoid.