In order to explore the effect of water stress on the leaf water potential and biomass of Medicago sa- tiva cv. Xinjiangdaye and its correlation,pot water control method was used to study the changes of leaf water poten- tial,seedling height,root diameter,root length,root dry weight,stem dry weight and leaf dry weight of one-year-old Medicago sativa cv. Xinjiangdaye in different growth periods under different water stress by setting three water gradi- ents: full water supply (T1),mild stress (T2) and severe stress (T3). The results showed as follows: the leaf water potential of Medicago sativa cv. Xinjiangdaye presented the rule of T1>T2>T3 during the whole growth period, and there were significant differences between T3,T1 and T2(P<0. 05). Mild water stress would stimulate the growth of seedling height,root diameter and root length of Medicago sativa cv. Xinjiangdaye,which showed the law of T2>T1>T3 throughout the growth period. Under mild water stress,the stem weight of Medicago sativa cv. Xin-jiangdaye was significantly higher than those of Medicago sativa cv. Xinjiangdaye under adequate water supply and se- vere water stress during the whole growth stage. In the mean time,under mild water stress,the root dry weight showed the order of T2>T1>T3 at seedling stage and branching stage,and T3>T2>T1 at bud stage and flower- ing stage. Except seedling stage,the leaf dry weight showed T2>T1>T3 at branching stage,bud stage and flower- ing stage. The experimental results provide a theoretical basis for alfalfa water-saving cultivation and crops water-effi- cient mechanism in arid and semi-arid areas.