Alfalfa(Medicago sativa)is the dominant forage type in China and the shortage of water resources is the limiting element that influences its production.Reclaimed water is a valuable substitute water resource for forage irrigation.The influence of reclaimed water irrigation on the growth and nutrient up-take of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.cv.'Algonquin')was studied by potted plants.Two water types(fresh vs.reclaimed) and three irrigation levels(high-,middle-,and low-)of water amount were used to irrigate alfalfa.The result showed that the growth height was positively related to the level of irrigation regardless of water types.Water type had significant effect on the number of side branches,highest increase was found under high-level irrigation of reclaimed water.Reclaimed water significantly increased the first-year hay production in comparison to fresh water.In the growth prophase of alfalfa,the root growth of alfalfa was negatively related to reclaimed water irrigation.The effect of irrigation water types on alfalfa absorbing N,P,Ca and Mg was mainly in the growth prophase of alfalfa while that of irrigation water types on alfalfa absorbing K was not significant.