Copper Nutrition Products compared to Copper Fungicides for Plant Disease Control

The study tested five different products: AM-1, AM-2, AM-3 (all nutritional products), and CUPROFLOW, CAFFARO BLUE, (Copper Oxychloride fungicides) and measured their preventive and curative efficacy when applied at different times before and after the inoculation with Spilocea oleagina.

The results show that products AM-1 and AM-3 had a really good preventive efficacy against Spilocea oleagina infections when applied with a dose of 0.5% up to 45 days before the infection, and maintained their efficacy during that time. Product AM-2 also had a good preventive efficacy, although slightly inferior to AM-1 and AM-3, all three were superior to that of CUPROFLOW CAFFARO BLUE.

When applied up to 3 days after the inoculation, all three products (AM-1, AM-2, and AM-3) showed a good curative efficacy, with AM-1 and AM-3 being slightly more effective than AM-2.

However, when CUPROFLOW, CAFFARO BLUE were applied 3 days after inoculation, they results were inferior to the curative efficacy compared to AM-1 and AM-3, 

The efficacy of all products decreased significantly when applied 7, 10, and 14 days after inoculation compared to when applied 3 days afterwards, but AM-1, AM-2, and AM-3 still presented a higher efficacy than CUPROFLOW CAFFARO BLUE. All three products decreased the severity of the olive leaf spot infections significantly regarding the untreated control when applied 7, 10, and 14 days after inoculation, compared to CUPROFLOW and CAFFARO BLUE, which only did that when applied after 7 days.

Finally, none of the evaluated fungicides caused phytotoxicity symptoms in the study.

The conclusion: nutritional copper efficacy is significantly superior at both prevention and eradication of the disease than copper fungicides. 

Studies often do not directly compare Nutritional Copper to Copper Fungicides. More common is the efficacy trials of either one in isolation. 

Studies have shown that copper can enhance plant immune responses by regulating gene expression and enzyme activity involved in defense mechanisms. For example, a study by R. Mehari et al. (2015) in the journal Plant Physiology and Biochemistry found that copper enhanced the activity of enzymes involved in the synthesis of lignin, which is a component of plant cell walls that plays a crucial role in plant defense against pathogens.

In conclusion, the research suggests that copper plays a crucial role in the immune system of plants by enhancing defense mechanisms and regulating gene expression and enzyme activity. These findings highlight the importance of copper as a micronutrient for plant growth and development, and as a potential alternative approach to controlling plant diseases.

References:

• Thinking of growing organically at any stage?

Maximum levels accepted by BioGro for soil levels:

A4.3 Heavy metal levels in the soils and composts:

Copper is 60ppm (60mg/kg)

Normal soil levels in NZ are said to be around 27 ppm,

Crop and Food Research on orchard soils carried out in the 90’s showed levels up to 700ppm and an average of 300ppm in the Pip & Stone fruit industry in the Hawks Bay.

 Avocado’s are often sold on their beneficial nutritional properties like Vitamin E, K and various other desirable Phyto-Chemicals as shown below.

Phytochemicals can be classified into major categories, such as carotenoids^[6] and polyphenols, which include phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes/lignans.^[5] Flavonoids can be further divided into groups based on their similar chemical structure, such as anthocyanins, flavones, flavanones, and isoflavones, and flavanols.^[5][7] Flavanols further are classified as catechins, epicatechins, and proanthocyanidins.^[5][7]

Plants produce chemicals called phytochemicals through primary or secondary metabolism, which play a role in plant growth and defense against competitors, pathogens, or predators. These phytochemicals are produced in large part for the plant's immune system response, which is constantly stimulated by microbial life around, in, and on the plant. Pesticides that remove these vital microbial stimulants can suppress the production of phytochemicals, similar to how constant antibiotic use can harm our own immune systems. This can reduce the quality and quantity of phytochemicals in the foods we produce, which can negatively impact consumer choices.

We need to be mindful of the choices we make when trying to control disease. Some options are highly questionable:

In more recent years growers of Olives have been advised to use Mancozeb to control a number of diseases. These types of alternatives offer another level of toxicity to us and the environment:

A major toxicological concern is ethylenethiourea (ETU), an industrial contaminant and a breakdown product of mancozeb and other EBDC pesticides. It has potential to cause goiter, a condition in which the thyroid gland is enlarged and has produced birth defects and cancer in experimental animals. ETU has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA.^[5] Mancozeb has been shown to have significant negative effects on beneficial root fungi - totally preventing spore germination at levels far below recommended dosage levels.^[6] 

Foliar applications of copper nutrition increases plant nitrogen as well as P, K, Ca, and Mg. These increases are due to the catalysing effect of the copper on plant metabolism, thereby increasing element uptake.

- Plant Analysis Handbook IV by Gretchen M. Bryson and Harry A. Mills,

CopperMaxx has been designed specifically to obtain all the best benefits of copper without any of the negatives.  

Cooper (Cu) plays essential roles in plant growth and development. Here are some key points detailing its functions:

1. Chlorophyll synthesis:

   • Cu is a vital component of plastocyanin, which is involved in electron transfer during photosynthesis

2. Cell wall strengthening:

   • Cu is involved in the formation of lignin, which is crucial for maintaining cell wall structure and strength 

3. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) scavenging:

   • Cu is a component of superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), an enzyme that helps protect plants from oxidative stress by converting harmful superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen

4. Ethylene signaling:

   • Cu is a cofactor of ethylene receptors, which are essential for the perception and regulation of ethylene, a key hormone in plant growth and development

5. Pollen development:

   • Cu is required for pollen development and fertility in plants, ensuring successful reproduction

6. Iron and copper homeostasis:

   • Cu is involved in maintaining the balance between iron and copper in plant cells, ensuring optimal growth and development