Copper Requirements and Deficiency Symptoms of a Number of Field and Vegetable Crops

Abstract

AbstractA number of field and vegetable crops were grown in the field and greenhouse on a peat soil very deficient in copper. Yield responses and copper contents of the plants were determined and copper deficiency symptoms photographed and described.In another series of tests the need for copper by oats on a number of upland soils was determined, and data concerning yield and copper content of the oats are presented. Significant increases in yields of straw were obtained in several cases.In the tests on the peat soil, oats showed the greatest need for copper among field crops and red beets among vegetable crops. Oat yields without copper were slightly over 1 bushel per acre, and with copper 64 bushels. Red beet yields were increased 5‐fold by the application of copper to this soil. Copper contents of plants varied considerably and in general increased with copper fertilization.