Abstract: Abstract: 【Objective】The aim of this study was to elucidate the growth pattern, root development and nutrient status of Pistacia chinensis Bunge containerized seedlings in response to slow-release fertilizer to determine the optimal fertilizer amount. 【Method】Three application levels of film-coated and slow-release fertilizer(0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/seedling)by Osmocote USA, and a blank control(CK)were used as treatments. The morphological attributes, nutrient status, and root development of the treated seedlings were measured at the end of the growing season. The data was tested by means of variance analysis and multiple comparisons. Mathematical models between the fertilizer amount and the root-collar diameter(RCD), seedling height, root biomass, stem biomass and total plant biomass were established to predict the optimal fertilization amount.【Result】 The RCD, seedling height, total plant biomass, root length, root surface area, root volume, and the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium increased with increasing fertilizer amount. When the amount of applied slow-release fertilizer was 1.6 g per plant, the seedling height, RCD and total plant biomass showed the maximum levels of 24.0 cm, 4.9 mm and 3.9 g/seedling, respectively. The ratio of root to stem decreased with increasing fertilizer amount, with the highest value of 2.8 observed in the control treatment. The mathematical model coefficient was higher than 0.95.【Conclusion】 Nutrients are mainly used for root growth when fertilizer concentration is low. However, most nutrients begin to translocate to the stem with increasing amount of available fertilizer, promoting the growth of stems and leaves. The first(0<d≤0.5 mm)and sixth(d>3.0 mm)grades of root diameter increased significantly with increasing fertilizer amount. The results of the five mathematical models indicated that the optimal amount of the slow-release fertilizer for P. chinensis containerized seedlings varied between 1.28 and 1.95 g per seedling.