Abstract: In order to reveal the variation and distribution characteristics of mineral elements in Chinese bayberry, 8 years old young trees and adult fruit-bearing trees of Dongkui were used as plant materials, and mineral elements contents (including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, B, Zn and Cu) in diffrent organs were investigated at florescence, young fruit stage, autumn growth period and dormant phase. The result suggested that contents of N, K, Ca, Fe and Mn varied greatly in different organs and different growth stages, and contents of P, S, Cu, Mg and B had no significant difference. Content of N was the highest in leaves of both the young trees and adult fruit-bearing trees, and followed by the branches. Content of K was much higher in branches and leaves of the young trees, and it was the highest in fruit of the adult fruit-bearing trees, followed by the branches and leaves. Content of Ca was the highest in branches, with the content higher than 6 g·kg^-1; and it was the lowest in fruit, with the content less than 0.6 g·kg^-1. Content of Mn was much higher in leaves and branches, and content of Fe was much higher in roots. In the adult fruit-bearing trees, contents of N, Mn, Zn were increased, and contents of P, Fe were declined, when compared with the young trees. The results might provide principle of fertilization for management of mineral nutrition in the production of Chinese bayberry.

Key words: Chinese bayberry, young fruit-bearing tree, adult fruit-bearing tree, mineral nutrition