Purpose <p>This field study aimed to focus on sustainable strategies to enhance wheat yield in water-limited and nutrient-deficient environments.</p> Methods <p>The study was conducted over two cropping seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022) using a split-plot design with three replications. The main plots were assigned to two tillage systems: no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). The subplots received different phosphorus rates: 0&#xa0;kg P ha⁻¹ (P0), 30&#xa0;kg P ha⁻¹ (P1), 60&#xa0;kg P ha⁻¹ (P2), and 90&#xa0;kg P ha⁻¹ (P3).</p> Results <p>Analysis over two years revealed significant impacts of both tillage systems and phosphorus rates on grain yield (GY), water use efficiency (WUE), and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). The highest GY was achieved with the application of 60&#xa0;kg P ha⁻¹ (P2) across all tillage systems, with the highest yields observed under no-till. Under NT, P2 increased yield by 9.0% compared to P0 in the first year (rainy season) and by 54.5% in the second year (dry season). Higher WUE values were also recorded under NT at P2. However, PUE decreased with increasing phosphorus application rates, with the highest PUE observed under NT at P0. No significant interactions were detected between the tillage system and phosphorus rate.</p> Conclusion <p>Adopting a no-till system with 60&#xa0;kg P ha⁻¹ promotes bread wheat growth under rainfed Mediterranean conditions, enhancing both productivity and water use efficiency. While phosphorus use efficiency declines at higher P rates, this approach provides a sustainable model for wheat cultivation in similar agro-ecological zones.</p>