Effects of different medium on growth, root morphology and nutrients uptake of Malus hupehensis

A pot experiment was carried out to explore the characteristics of growth, root morphology and nutrients uptake of young tree of Malus hupehensis(Pamp) Rehd planted in sheep manure, sandy soil and light clay soil. The results showed that when growing in the sheep manure, the growth of shoots was bigger, primary root and lateral roots were thicker and longer, and the numbers of lateral roots were more; the uptake ability of P, Ca and Fe of the root system was lower compared to other treatments. When growing in sandy soil, the growth of shoots was the smallest, lateral roots were the thinnest, and the numbers of lateral roots were the least; and the uptake ability of P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn of the root system was highest. After sheep manure was applied on the sand soil, the growth of shoots increased, primary root and lateral roots became thicker and longer, and the numbers of lateral roots became more; and the uptake ability of P, K, Ca, Fe and Zn of the root system was decreased. In light clay soil with sheep manure, the numbers of leaf became increased, the thickness and elongation of primary root became obviously decreased, the numbers and thickness of second lateral roots increased, and the K uptake ability was higher.