Why is Copper an Essential Micronutrient?

Copper is necessary for chlorophyll formation and is involved in catalysing several other plant reactions. Plants with access to sufficient amounts of copper can exhibit stronger cell walls, and form higher polymers and proteins, making them more resistant to fungal attacks (Price, 2006). Additionally, copper is vital for animal health, contributing to the formation of red blood cells, pigmentation of cattle hair, and the pigmentation and crimp of wool in sheep (Department of Ag and Food, 2019).

Copper like zinc is usually applied to the soil before or at planting to ensure the emerging plant roots can access available copper for uptake.

Why can using a liquid coating be beneficial when compared to granular fertiliser?

Copper, being immobile within the plant, may require a constant supply. In regions with copper deficiency, coated fertilizer applications can address this issue effectively. In severe deficiency situations, a foliar copper application at flag leaf emergence might still be necessary. Sowing-coated products like MAP Copper-Cote can distribute copper more uniformly across the root zone compared to a granular copper oxide application, facilitating maximum uptake.

Impact Fertilisers Copper Range

Impact Fertilisers offers both Copper 25 Oxy Sulphate and Copper Cote. Copper 25 Oxy Sulphate is a granular fertilizer in which copper is present in a quick-release sulfate form and a slow-release oxide form. This granulated copper fertiliser can be blended with N-P-K-S fertilisers.

Copper-Cote contains micronised particles of cuprous oxide, providing a reservoir of slow-release copper nutrient. Copper-Cote applies copper coating directly onto fertiliser granules using continuous flow blending and handling systems.

References

Copper deficiency in sheep and cattle (2019) Agriculture and Food. Available at: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/feeding-nutrition/copper-deficiency-sheep-and-cattle

Price, G.H. (2006) Australian Soil Fertility Manual. Melbourne, VIC: CSIRO Publishing.

Schroder, J. (2016) Copper deficiency: A review of the economic cost and current constraints to effective management of copper deficiency in southern Australian sheep flocks: Meat & Livestock Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia. Available at: https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/reports/2016/copper-deficiency-a-review-of-the-economic-cost-and-current-constraints-to-effective-management-of-copper-deficiency-in-southern-australian-sheep-flocks/