Effects of phenolic acids on growth, mineral composition and chlorophyll content of some herbaceous woodland species

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Abstract
Five herbaceous plant species from woodland(‐clearings), Silene dioica, Scrophularia nodosa, Holcus lanatus, Milium effusum and Deschampsia flexuosa were tested for their sensitivity for phenolic acids. These are important intermediate products in the decomposition of litter material. A mixture of 7 commonly occuring phenolic acids was added to nutrient solutions in concentrations of 10−5, 10−4 and 10−3M. Growth was reduced at the highest concentration; S. dioica was the most and D. flexuosa the least influenced species. Both chlorophyll and mineral contents of the plants were influenced by phenolic acids, but the effects seemed to be species dependent. The results are discussed in view of their importance for the relationship between trees and understory vegetation.