A remark on minimal foliations of codimension two (Q760021)

Theorem: Let \(W\) be an oriented closed Riemannian manifold and \({\mathcal F}_ 1\) a minimal, codimension two \(C^{\infty}\) foliation of \(W\). Suppose the normal bundle of \({\mathcal F}_ 1\), say \({\mathcal F}_ 2\), is \(C^{\infty}\) and integrable and that both \({\mathcal F}_ 1\) and \({\mathcal F}_ 2\) are orientable. (1) If \(\text{Ric}(W)>0\), then \(\epsilon\) (\({\mathcal F}_ 2)\neq 0\). (2) If \(\text{Ric}(W)\geq 0\), then either \({\mathcal F}_ 1\) is totally geodesic or \(\epsilon({\mathcal F}_ 2)\neq 0\). Both can occur simultaneously. (3) If \(W\) has non-negative sectional curvature, then either \(\epsilon({\mathcal F}_ 2)\neq 0\) or \({\mathcal F}_ 1\) and \({\mathcal F}_ 2\) are totally geodesic. Here, \(\epsilon({\mathcal F}_ 2)\) denotes the Euler class of \({\mathcal F}_ 2\) and \(\text{Ric}(W)\) is the Ricci curvature of \(W\). This generalizes an earlier result due to \textit{G. Oshikiri} [Tôhoku Math. J., II. Ser. 33, 133-137 (1981; Zbl 0437.57013)] who dealt with minimal foliations of codimension one.