Copper accumulation in soils from two different‐aged apricot orchards in Central Otago, New Zealand

In recent years there has been a move in New Zealand to convert small, uneconomic orchards to other agricultural uses. Overseas research has demonstrated that copper from fungicide sprays often accumulates in the soils of orchards and can cause certain problems for plant growth and livestock. To date, no assessments appear to have been made of the degree of copper accumulation in such older orchards in New Zealand. This study presents the results of an assessment of two well‐established apricot orchards in the Central Otago region of South Island, New Zealand.

Two aspects of the results are surprising. The first is the relatively low levels of copper in the soil when compared with results from another orchard in the region. That orchard is 18 years old and mean soil copper has already reached 100.0 μg/g, indicating a much faster rate of accumulation than in the two orchards in the current study. The second unexpected result is that the younger orchard has a significantly higher level of copper than the older orchard. Reasons for these findings are discussed in relation to apparent differences in soil properties.

Key words:

• Copper
• fungicide sprays
• orchard soils
• soil properties
• land management
• New Zealand