THE INFLUENCE OF MG AND CA DEFICIENCY ON THE MICROMORPHOLOGY OF EPICUTICULAR WAXES AND ON THE WETTABILITY OF SPRUCE NEEDLES

The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency in nutrient solution on epicuti cular waxes of needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L] Karst.) was i nvestigated in greenhouse experiments. Spruce clones were cultivated i n sand and supplied with nutrient solution. For two vegetation periods , plants of the treatment groups -Mg, -Ca and -Mg/-Ca were provided wi th only 15% of the respective mineral element of the control. At the e nd of the second vegetation period, the nutrient deficiency was docume nted by reduced Mg- and/or Ca-content of the needles and changes in ch lorophyll fluorescence. No effect on micromorphology of epicuticular w axes and wettability of needles of any age was observed following defi cient Mg and/or Ca supply.