In semi-arid sandy loam soil, agricultural productivity is severely constrained by low precipitation and poor soil water and nutrient retention capacity. Optimizing water and fertilizer management is essential for achieving high yields, efficient resource use, and reduced environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different water and fertilizer management strategies on maize yield, resource efficiency, and environmental performance in semi-arid sandy loam soil, through a two-year field experiment, we used a comprehensive sustainability framework to evaluate five management strategies by integrating methods including life cycle assessment, emergy analysis, and a sustainability performance index (SPI). Results indicated that compared to FP (Conventional farmer's practice), the optimized treatments significantly improved grain yield by 6.8 %-17.6 %, biomass by 8.0 %-18.0 %, and protein yield by 10.0 %-33.2 %, while reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 43.0 %-71.5 %. DC (Drip fertigation with compound fertilizer) and DCM (DC with organic manure) increased the net ecosystem economic benefit by 10.8 % and 9.8 %, respectively. Normalized analysis indicated that DCM performed best in the food production dimension and environmental protection, DC in economic benefit, and DEEC (Drip fertigation with enhanced efficiency compound fertilizer) in energy use, with DC achieving the highest overall SPI score. This study provides important guidance and robust scientific evidence for improving water and fertilizer use efficiency and promoting greener, more sustainable agricultural production in semi-arid sandy loam soil.