Abstract

The subsoil had approximately 10% CaCO(3) and both species grew less in this soil compared to the topsoil, which had less than 1% CaCO(3). Germination rate of A. tectorum was higher in subsoil than in topsoil or limed topsoil. P fertilization of the limed topsoil counteracted the negative liming effect for A. tectorum, but only partly so for R. acetosella. P fertilization of subsoil increased the shoot biomass of A. tectorum, but not of R. acetosella. P concentration in plants was not reduced when growing on subsoil or limed topsoil compared to topsoil. The results show that lime addition may reduce the P availability also to calcicole species such as A. tectorum and we found indications for that Ca toxicity may be a causing factor for the calcifuge behavior of R. acetosella. The significance of the results for conservation management practices in sandy grasslands is discussed.

Keywords

Acidification; Liming; Phosphorus; Plant growth; Sandy grassland; Subsoil; Topsoil removal

Published in

Flora
2011, Volume: 206, number: 3, pages: 276-281
Publisher: ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

SLU Authors

• Fransson, Ann-Mari

  • Lund University

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2010.07.002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/51823