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Copper Role and Deficiency
Copper is available to plants as the Cu2+ ion. Plant copper uptake can be reduced and deficiencies intensified with excessive nitrogen fertilization and high phosphorus fertilization in wheat. Soils in Alberta which respond to copper are very high in organic matter (>8%), while copper responding sites in Minnesota are peat derived. Soils in Canada with marginal copper levels (<0.6) have also been shown to have increased incidence of ergot and false black chaff symptoms. A preliminary study in 1996 in North Dakota has shown decreased glume discoloration with application of copper to a soil with Cu level of 0.8 on in wheat. Several enzymes include copper in their structure. Copper is also part of several compounds important in photosynthesis. Deficiency shows as deformed tops in younger plant tissue of broadleaf plants. Flowering is reduced and ovules are often aborted. Deficiency in wheat may affect only head development. Deficiencies can be verified with soil and plant analysis.
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