| Abstract: | The Höglwald, located in Bavaria, is a pure Norway spruce stand, where experimental plots which were limed or not were subjected to normal or acid irrigation (Höglwald Experiment). The growth of the forest herb Oxalis acetosella improved greatly with liming. Callose concentration in leaves of Oxalis reflected the lime effect with about a 2.5 times lower callose concentration in the limed compared to unlimed plots. Acid irrigation increased callose concentration only in the unlimed plot. A negative exponential relationship was established between leaflet area and callose concentration. In a Diagnostic Field Fertilization Experiment in the vicinity of the Höglwald Experiment, Ca and Mg were applied either as carbonate or sulphate and Mn and Si added to experimental plots. In this experiment, it was demonstrated that it was not liming per se, but the application of Ca, that greatly increased the growth of Oxalis. Again, there was a negative correlation between leaflet area and callose concentration in leaves. Chemical analysis of leaves revealed that a Mn concentration > 3.5 mg (g DW)?1 and a Mg concentration > 10 mg (g DW)?1 led to increased callose concentration. |
