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    NUTRIENT:

    COPPER

    Copper (Cu) activates enzymes and catalyzes reactions in several plant-growth processes. Vitamin A production is closely linked to the presence of Cu as well, and it helps ensure successful protein synthesis.

    Essential Micronutrient

    Classified as a micronutrient, only a small amount of this essential nutrient is needed for plant survival.

    Immobility

    Copper is the most immobile of the micronutrients.

    Copper Hunger

    Many vegetable crops show Cu hunger, with leaves that lose turgor and develop a bluish-green shade before becoming chlorotic and curling.

    Chlorophyll Formation

    Copper is necessary to chlorophyll formation in plants and catalyzes several other plant reactions.

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    Influences From Other Metals

    Other metals in the soil, such as iron, manganese and aluminum, affect the availability of Cu for plant growth.

    Types of Soils

    Organic soils are the most vulnerable to Cu deficiency; heavy, clay-type soils are least vulnerable.

      • Immobility

        Copper is the most immobile of the micronutrients.

      • Copper Hunger

        Many vegetable crops show Cu hunger, with leaves that lose turgor and develop a bluish-green shade before becoming chlorotic and curling.

      • Chlorophyll Formation

        Copper is necessary to chlorophyll formation in plants and catalyzes several other plant reactions.

      • Influences From Other Metals

        Other metals in the soil, such as iron, manganese and aluminum, affect the availability of Cu for plant growth.

      • Types of Soils

        Organic soils are the most vulnerable to Cu deficiency; heavy, clay-type soils are least vulnerable.

      Copper deficiency symptoms

      Symptoms of deficiency can vary across crop species, but similarities exist for how nutrient insufficiency impacts plant tissue color and appearance. Nutrient deficiencies are commonly associated with the physical location on the plant (i.e., whether the symptoms are primarily observed on older versus newly formed plant tissue), but these symptoms can spread as the severity of the deficiency progresses.

      Looking to dig deeper into copper?

      Browse the Resource Library for Copper-related articles, research insights and more.

      Resource Library