Abstract: A systematic studywasmade about the effect of cultural container shapes on root architecture,nutrients uptake by roots and growth of shoots of Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd. seedling planted in the different shapes of pottery-pots. The results revealed thatwhen the seedling of M. hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd. growing in the pots of deep and narrow, the growth of shoots was the biggest, and primary root was thick,lateral roots was short, the numbers of lateral roots and the fine rootswere more. And the root activity and the
uptake ability of P and Fe of the roots were low, but the up take ability of Ca and Zn of the roots was high.When growing in the equal height and diameter pots, the growth of shootswas the smallest, the root-top ratio
was close to 1. And p rimary rootwas thin and short, first lateral rootswere thick and long, and less numbers of the first lateral roots. And the K-up take ability of the roots was higher. When growing in the shallow and wide pots, the root-top ratio was the biggest, and the numbers, thickness and length of first lateral roots were between that in deep-narrow pots and in equal highness and diameter pots, second lateral rootswere thick and long. And the root activity and the up take ability of P and Fe of the roots produced in shallow-wide potswere higher, but the up take ability of K, Ca and Zn of the rootswas lower.

Key words: Malus hupehensis (Pamp. ) Rehd., root architecture, nutrients uptake, container type, clay soil