Artificial cultivation experiment on the photosynthetic characteristic and water physiology of six dominant shelter plant species was carried out under different irrigation amounts[A(0 m³·m^-2),B(0.1 m³·m^-2) and C(0.2 m³·m^-2)] in the Peripheral Regions of Cele Oasis.The results showed that:(1)Except Ziziphus jujuba,the net photosynthetic rate of others showed a similar diurnal tendency and had a single-peaked pattern,and showed:C＞B＞A.(2)The transpiration rate also increased in response to irrigation amounts,but had an irregular M change.(3)Except the Juglans regia,the predawn and midday water potential of other plants increased with the increase of irrigation amounts,and were displayed B＞C＞A.(4)Their diurnal course of instantaneous water use efficiencies were basically identical,all showed B＞C＞A.Says from the perspectives of water use and irrigation amounts,J.regia,Z.jujuba,Morus alba,Calligonum mongolicum should be chosen as the dominant shelter plants.Z.jujuba was very suited for water-saving in Cele Oasis and is more effective to be used in the shelter plants than the rest of five plants.