In order to explore the effects of different cultivation methods on soil moisture status, yield, and quality of different genotypes of winter wheat, and to provide a basis for water-suitable planting and agricultural green and sustainable high quality production of dry winter wheat. The soil water status, yield, water use efficiency, and main quality indexes of winter wheat under different cultivation practices were systematically studied by using two planting methods of mulching materials, common polyethylene film covered burrowing (PE) and biodegradable film covered burrowing (BM), compared with traditional open field burrowing (LD). The results showed that under the influence of arid climate and crop water consumption, the average soil moisture in 0-300 cm soil layer was reduced by mulching compared with LD, and the soil moisture in 0-300 cm soil layer was significantly reduced by BM compared with PE. The water consumption BM of winter wheat during the whole growth period increased by 22.0 mm and 23.0 mm, respectively, compared with LD and PE, and the soil water consumption BM > LD > PE during the whole growth period. The mulch yield of LJ 110 in two planting seasons was significantly higher than that of open-field cultivation. In 2018-2019 planting season, LJ 111 PE and BM increased by 40.3% and 29.7% compared with LD. In 2019-2020 planting season, due to severe lodging, PE and BM decreased by 2.5% and 3.5% compared with LD. Compared with LD, plastic film mulching reduced the grain quality of winter wheat, BM significantly increased the dough stabilization time and dough formation time compared with PE, and the average protein content, wet gluten content and weakening degree of LJ 110 grains were increased by 10.6%, 11.1% and 10.3% compared with LJ 111 grains, respectively. Therefore, biodegradable film mulching can play a similar role as polyethylene film in water storage and water conservation, but in winter wheat production in dryland area, biodegradable film mulching should be selected according to the water consumption characteristics of varieties and film cultivation adaptability.