BACKGROUND: Reuse of waste nutrient solution for the cultivation of crops could lead to considerable conservation of water resources, plant nutrients, and water quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential for reducing the use of chemical fertilizer in Chinese cabbage cultivation via the reuse of waste nutrient solution as an alternative irrigation resource. METHODS AND RESULTS: The nutrients supplied in the waste nutrient solution consisted of 1474.5, 1285.1, 991.6, and 872.6 mg/L for $K+$, ${NO_3}^-$, $Ca^{2+}$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$, respectively. At 56 days after transplanting (DAT), the leaf length of Chinese cabbage plants irrigated with the waste nutrient solution treatment was significantly higher than that of plants irrigated using a conventional groundwater treatment. Additionally, the leaf width, fresh weight and dry weight of the plants irrigated with the waste nutrient solution were similar or greater than that of plants irrigated with a conventional treatment. Furthermore, the growth of plants treated with the waste nutrient solution +25% fertilizer was the highest among all tested treatments. CONCLUSION(s): These results indicate that the waste nutrient solution can be used as an alternate water resource for crop cultivation. In addition, it can contribute to reduce the fertilizer and to obtain the higher crop yield of Chinese cabbage.