| Summary: | Roots have high plasticity with the ability to adapt to heterogeneous nutrient distribution, but little is known about the effects of phosphorus (P) supply methods and levels on <i>Rosa multiflora</i> Thunb. ex Murr. root growth and nutrient accumulation. A pot study was conducted with two P supply methods (mixed and localized application) and three levels (P-deficient, P-moderate and P-adequate). The results showed that with localized application, P-deficient and P-moderate treatments significantly improved total root length, total surface area, total length of fine roots, shoot DW and total P accumulation in <i>Rosa multiflora</i> compared with their respective mixed application at 45 days after being transplanted (DAT) and 92 DAT; for P-adequate supply, the same trends were observed at 45 DAT, but not at 92 DAT. At 92 DAT, with localized application, when P levels increased from P-deficient to P-moderate, total P accumulation increased by 43.3%; but when P levels increased from P-moderate to P-adequate, no effect was observed. Furthermore, higher P accumulation in leaves was observed in localized P-moderate condition; decreased P uptake per root dry weight and greater root/shoot ratio were observed in localized P-adequate at 92 DAT. Total P accumulation was positively correlated with total root length and root surface area (<i>R<sup>2</sup></i>: 0.68～0.94). There was a significant interaction effect among treatment days, P supply methods and levels (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) on shoot DW, root DW, root/shoot ratio and total P accumulation. These findings indicated that localized and moderate P supply appear efficient for improving <i>R. multiflora</i> growth and P accumulation via efficient root system development.
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