Water stress and the deficiency of mineral nutrients are major constraints that limit forage legumes production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. To evaluate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in alleviating the aforementioned condition, a greenhouse factorial experiment on sainfoin plant (Onobrychis sativa L.) was conducted. The experiment was based on the completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in 2014. The treatments were carried out on species of fungi (Faneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis caledonius, Glomus versiforme, and non-inoculated control) and irrigation (irrigation at 80% (well watering) and 50% (water deficit) field capacity (FC)). The highest root colonization (66%) occurred with G. versiforme in well-watered plants. The mycorrhizal (F. mosseae and Rh. intraradices) sainfoin leaf chlorophyll index (SPAD) increased as a result of water deficit stress. The leaf osmolytes (proline and total soluble sugars) increased in all mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal species produced taller plants than those produced under non-inoculated control. The highest leaf phosphorus content was obtained from plants inoculated with F. mosseae (294.0 mg / 100 g dry weight). In well-watered sainfoin plants, the highest percent of leaf N (4.73%) belonged to G. versiforme. Leaf dry weight showed a significant decrease in irrigation at 50% FC, but the mycorrhizal symbiosis compensated it to more than well-watered plants. In this research work, all mycorrhizas species were significantly enhanced the leaf properties due to highly root colonization caused in water and phosphorus uptake.