the copper has been used in agriculture for more than a century: copper products crop protection classic the first uses in crop protection date back to 1882 and since then copper, also called verdigris, has never been abandoned.
copper treatments are authorized in organic farming where they are used to stop the spread of fungal and bacterial diseases in the form of various compounds and formulations. However, not everyone agrees that truly ecological agriculture uses copper and the reason for this distrust is linked to certain risks that the excessive use of copper implies for the environment and the effects this may have on the ground.
For this reason, however, there are certain limitations to its use. and before approaching it, it is important to know the products, how they work, how they are used and when. So let’s see in this article which are the best known copper products and how to use them with moderation and common sense.
Contents [Ocultar]
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Main copper products
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Bordeaux mousse
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copper oxychloride
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copper hydroxide
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Tribasic copper sulphate
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Mode of action of copper
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When to use copper
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The adversities against which it protects
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What crops are treated with copper
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Instructions for use: modes and dosage
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Toxicity and environmental damage
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Alternatives to copper
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Regulation on the use of copper in organic farming
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A holistic view
Contents
Main copper products
There are many commercial products registered in Italy, but you have to be careful: in some of them copper is mixed with other fungicides , its use is therefore prohibited in certified organic agriculture and is not recommended in non-certified agriculture that intends to operate in a similar way or in small family gardens that wish to obtain natural vegetables. Below is an overview of possible organic copper fungicide treatments currently used in agriculture.
Bordeaux blend
the Bordeaux mousse is a historic copper product named after the French city where it was first tested. Contains copper sulphate and calcium hydroxide in a ratio of approximately 1:0.7-0.8, and has a Blue color clearly visible in the treated vegetation. The proportions between copper sulfate and calcium hydroxide can also change: if you increase the copper sulfate, the paste becomes more acidic and has a more ready but less lasting effect, whereas with a more alkaline paste , that is to say that contains a higher dose of calcium hydroxide, we obtain the opposite effect, that is to say less skilful but more persistent. However, to avoid unpleasant phytotoxic effects, it is recommended to use a neutral reaction paste, taking into account the proportions indicated above, and which is generally the one found in commercial preparations already mixed and ready for use. job.