Effect of long-term applications of copper on soil and grape copper (Vitis vinifera)

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the residual effect of long-term Bordeaux mixture application on grapes grown on soils of a coastal plain in eastern China, and to investigate the effect of Bordeaux mixture application on total copper in the leaf and pulp of grape. The results showed that the DTPA extractable Cu was high as 34.2 mg kg−1 in the topsoil for growing grapes in the 10th year. Copper concentrations in grape leaves were within the range of 753–9845 mg kg−1. Concentrations of Cu in grape pulp were between 0.33 and 1.71 mg kg−1 which is slightly higher than the value reported for pulp in U.S.A. The well water near the soil sampling sites has not been contaminated by copper. Key words: Copper, grape, soil