Aims <p>Timely and appropriate irrigation at different growth stages is critical for optimizing alfalfa yield. Improving the coupling of irrigation schedules with the dynamics of the physical environment and alfalfa growth is essential for achieving water-efficient irrigation and effective alfalfa cultivation.</p> Methods <p>We propose an approach for formulating dynamic irrigation schedules for alfalfa based on virtual-real fusion. A simulation application instance was conducted using commonly employed irrigation methods (flood irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation, and surface micro-sprinkler irrigation) in the Ningxia Irrigation Area of the Yellow River (NIR). The performance of the proposed approach was evaluated by comparing it to the quota irrigation schedule commonly used in regional fields.</p> Results <p>The experimental results demonstrate that the subsurface drip irrigation saved 8% of water in 2019, the surface micro-sprinkler irrigation saved 65% of water in 2022, and the flood irrigation saved 16% of water in 2023, all while ensuring yield.</p> Conclusion <p>The proposed approach exhibits scalability and achieves dynamic optimization of irrigation schedules under various production goals through environmental parameter adjustment and algorithmic secondary development. It serves as a valuable reference for formulating alfalfa irrigation schedules in the western region of China.</p>