Nitrogen exponential fertilization is an exponential fertilization method that determines fertilizer dosage based upon the nitrogen content of fertilizer.The study of exponential fertilization originated from the nutrient index theory of the 1980s and became a hot research topic in the 90s with the emergence of a large number of reports on the effect of different nutrient amounts and ratios on different sapling species.In the 2000s,research began to focus on the changes in the saplings’ root system during fertilization as well as the foresting effect of the saplings after transplantation.Now,nitrogen exponential fertilization has become the first choice method for cultivating container saplings in foreign countries.This fertilization method is more effective than conventional methods in improving nitrogen use efficiency,sapling quality,and sapling survival rate while avoiding fertilizer waste and minimizing associated environmental impact.Thus,nitrogen exponential fertilization method has significant practical applications in fostering high quality saplings and reducing fertilizer related environmental pollution.Based on the current research status of this method in China,follow up studies may focus on investigating the foresting effect of the fertilizer treated saplings and on fertilizer to water ratios to enhance the use of nitrogen exponential fertilization in sapling production.