Evidence for a nutritional disorder of Oxalis acetosella L. on acid forest soils. I. Control situation and effects of dolomitic liming and acid irrigation

• Published in: Plant and soil 1998-02, Vol.199 (1), p.141-152
• Main Author: Rodenkirchen, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acid deposition; Acid soils; Acidic soils; aluminum; calcium; chlorosis; Comparative studies; diet-related diseases; dry matter; Forest soils; ground cover; growth; Irrigation; leaf age; Leaf blade; Leaves; Lime; Liming; magnesium; manganese; mineral content; Minerals; nitrogen; nitrogen content; nutrient availability; nutrient content; Nutrient status; Nutrition; Oxalis acetosella; petioles; phosphorus; Picea abies; Pine trees; Plant growth; Plant propagation; Plants; Population growth; Recolonization; Root zone; simulation; soil pH; sulfates; sulfur; Sulfuric acid; understory; Wood; zinc
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1004260231541

This paper reports on the mean cover, biometrie and vitality parameters and mineral nutrient status of wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella L.) on the control and experimental plots of a mature Norway spruce stand on acid soil (Höglwald Experiment). On the control plot Oxalis showed relatively poor leaf growth and chloroses on young and older leaf blades. Mineral analyses in the Höglwald and comparative studies on other forest sites indicated a very good to good supply of N and P, a moderate Ca nutrition and very high Mn concentrations of the leaves. The input of dolomitic lime led to a drastic propagation and vitalization of the wood-sorrel. The long-lasting effect of treatment was independent of pH dynamics in the root zone. The leaf chloroses of Oxalis disappeared completely after that treatment. The level of Ca and Mg supply clearly improved, whereas the concentrations of P, N, Mn and Zn diminished. Surprisingly, the K nutrition also improved after liming. Oxalis reacted to acid irrigation (sulfuric acid; pH 2.7-2.8) in comparison to normal watering (pH 5.0-5.5) with a continuous decrease in cover, but without visible leaf necroses. The concentrations of total sulphur, SO₄-S and Sorg were raised, while the concentrations of Ca, Mn and Zn of the leaf blades decreased. After termination of acid input a recovery of nutrition occurred and a slow recolonization began. Preceding lime application prevented the growth-inhibiting effect of the acid irrigation. The study leads to the working hypothesis, that Ca nutrition may be the controlling factor for leaf growth and vegetative propagation of Oxalis in the Höglwald Experiment.