A copper‐phosphorus interaction in wheat¹

Published as paper no. Journal Series, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Abstract

Examination of results from two experiments designed to compare copper (Cu) carriers, rates, and application methods and an experiment designed to test the residual effects of Cu on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pointed to the existence of an interaction between Cu and phosphorus (P). Mineral element data for aboveground whole‐plant samples from the three experiments indicated that, with low Cu levels in the soil, when Cu was applied as CUSO₄ in an apparently unavailable position, or when the Cu had been applied to the soil as CuHEDTA, P concentrations in the plant were very high. Also, when CUSO₄ was applied to the soil and incorporated to a depth of 60 to 100 mm, concentrations of Cu increased and P decreased in the plant. In each case, if Cu concentrations in the plant were adequate, then normal plant development occurred. A Cu‐P interaction which affected P uptake or translocation was evident.

Key words:

• Copper nutrition
• Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
• Phosphorus nutrition
• Copper sulfate
• Copper HEDTA

Notes

Published as paper no. Journal Series, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Present address: ARS‐USDA, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska‐Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583.