Copper deficiency in young Eucalyptusmaculata plantations

Abstract

Copper deficiency has been identified as the cause of distorted growth symptoms in 2- to 3-year-old stands of Eucalyptusmaculata Hook, established on a disturbed laterite-pallid zone profile in southwestern Australia. The main symptoms of Cu deficiency were undulate leaf margins, shoot dieback, enlarged nodes giving rise to numerous short-lived axillary shoots, and reduced lignification of wood. Visible symptoms were associated with depressed foliar Cu concentrations (mean 1.1 μg•g−1 compared with mean 1.9 μg•g−1 for healthy trees). Normal shoot growth in affected trees was restored by the addition of CuSO4 to the soil or as a foliar spray.