Objective To explore the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation and chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and to determine the cell generation schedule suitable for in vitro cartilage construction of hBMSCs. Methods hBMSCs were obtained and cultured respectively in two culture systems:DMEM and DMEM+bFGF. Two groups of cells were repeatedly passaged to P4 generation, the morphological changes and cell yield rates of hBMSCs were compared between the two groups. At the same time the two groups of P3 cells were induced for chondrogenic differentiation using pellet culture for 3 weeks in vitro. Gross observation, immunohistochemical staining of collagen Ⅱ were used to evaluate the results of each group. Based on the study mentioned above, the DMEM+bFGF culture group was subcultured to P8 to observe the morphological changes of each subculture. After chondrogenic differentiation using pellet culture for 3 weeks in vitro, gross observation and immunohistochemical staining of collagenⅡwere evaluated as before. Results The cell morphology, cell yield and cartilage differentiation in DMEM+bFGF group was far greater than that of DMEM group. Under the culture system of DMEM+bFGF, cells passaged at 1:3 could still maintain a good cell morphology in P6 generation. Immunohistochemistry showed that cartilage-specific extracellular matrix typeⅡcollagen was expressed better in P1-4 generation. Conclusion bFGF can significantly promote the proliferation andchondrogenesis of hBMSCs. P1-4 generation cells in DMEM+bFGF culture system is suitable for in vitro cartilage construction.