Copper deficiency symptoms of some tropical and temperate pasture legumes

Abstract

Foliar symptoms of copper deficiency shown by five tropical and five temperate pasture legumes are described. The descriptions are sufficiently diverse to permit individual treatment. The more succulent species showed severe chlorosis and necrosis of leaves, whereas the less succulent ones showed chlorosis followed by leaf abscission and little necrosis. Species within a genus developed somewhat similar symptoms. The initial symptoms of copper deficiency in the Trifolium species in particular were wilting and partial dehydration. The implications of copper deficiency on wilting are discussed.