A review of copper fertilizer management for optimum yield and quality of crops in the Canadian Prairie provinces

Abstract

. A review of copper fertilizer management for optimum yield and quality of crops in the Canadian Prairie Provinces. Can. J. Plant Sci. 86: 605-619. Deficiency of copper (Cu) in Canadian prairie soils is not widespread, but whenever it occurs it can cause a drastic reduction in seed yield and quality of most cereals, especially wheat. Field experiments conducted in western Canada indicated that broadcast-incorporation of granular Cu fertilizers prior to seeding at 3-5.6 kg Cu ha -1 was usually sufficient to prevent Cu deficiency in wheat, and improve seed yield and quality. At lower rates (< 2.0 kg Cu ha -1 ), broadcast-incorporation of granular Cu fertilizers was not effective, while surface spray-broadcast followed by incorporation of liquid Cu fertilizers was much more effective in increasing seed yield of wheat in the first year of application. Surface-broadcast without incorporation and seedrow-placed granular Cu fertilizers were much less effective in improving seed yield of wheat than their foliar or soil-incorporated applications. In the growing season, foliar applications of Cu at 0.20 to 0.28 kg Cu ha -1 to wheat at the Feekes 6 (first node of stem visible at base of shoot or stem elongation), Feekes 10 (sheath of last leaf completely grown or flag-leaf) and early boot growth stages were very effective in restoring seed yield, while Cu applications at the Feekes 2 (four-leaf) or Feekes 10.5 (complete heading) growth stage did not have a consistent effect to correct damage caused by Cu deficiency. Some Cu fertilizers (e.g., Cu oxide) were less effective than others in preventing/correcting Cu deficiency. Soil application at relatively high rates produced residual benefits in increasing seed yield for a number of years. The sensitivity of crops to Cu deficiency is usually in the order (wheat, flax, canary seed) > (barley, alfalfa) > (timothy seed, oats, corn) > (peas, clovers) > (canola, rye, forage grasses). Stem melanosis in wheat was associated with deficiency of Cu in soil, and the disease was reduced substantially with Cu application. A high level of available P in soil was observed to induce/increase severity of Cu deficiency in wheat. Soil analysis for diethylene triamine pentacetic acid-(DTPA) extractable Cu in soil can be used as a good diagnostic tool to predict Cu deficiency, but there was a poor relationship between total Cu concentration in shoots and the degree of Cu deficiency in crops. Application of Cu fertilizers to wheat on Cu-deficient soils also generally improved seed quality. La carence en cuivre (Cu) n'est pas très fréquente dans les Prairies canadiennes, mais là où elle existe, on note une baisse draconienne du rendement grainier et de la qualité de la plupart des céréales, particulièrement le blé. Des expériences sur le terrain effectuées dans l'ouest du Canada révèlent que l'épandage à la volée puis l'incorporation au sol d'un engrais de Cu granulaire avant les semis, à raison de 3 à 5,6 kg de Cu par hectare, suffit à prévenir une telle carence chez le blé, tout en améliorant l...

Growth and nutrient response of flax and durum wheat to phosphorus and zinc fertilizers

“…A similar but less pronounced effect was obtained by P and Zn fertilizers on durum wheat. The results agree with numerous research reports summarized by Malhi and Karamanos (2006).…”

Response of wheat, pea, and canola to micronutrient fertilization on five contrasting prairie soils

“…This soil did have a very low supply rate (< 0.05 µg Cu 10 cm −2 24 h −1 ) of available Cu according to assessment with resin membrane probe that may reflect limited mobility by diffusion in this high clay content soil. Various studies have shown the beneficial effect of Cu fertilization for optimizing wheat yields on Cu deficient mineral soils of Canadian prairies 12 , 31 – 34 . Previously, it was reported that soils containing DTPA-extractable Cu levels of less than 0.40 mg kg −1 are critically deficient, in which economic yield response to Cu fertilization is expected 12 .…”

“…Critical whole plant Cu concentration of less than 2 mg kg −1 50 , 2.5 to 3.0 mg kg −1 51 and 5 mg kg −1 49 , 52 are reported as indicators of potential deficiency in wheat. However, the whole plant Cu concentration is often weakly correlated to grain and straw biomass yield responses to fertilization 34 , 50 . Copper fertilization of wheat with a tissue concentration of greater than 2 mg Cu kg −1 at mid-late tillering stages may not be effective for yield improvement 53 .…”

Elemental status (Cu, Mo, Co, B, S and Zn) of Scottish agricultural soils compared with a soil‐based risk assessment

“…As with Co, soil and herbage levels are also poor indicators of Cu deficiency (Fisher, 2008). However, the large number of samples analysed for Cu possibly reflects its importance not only for animal health but also for crop yield and quality (Malhi & Karamanos, 2006). Although only a small number of samples were analysed for Mo, 60% of these had VL or L status.…”