Control of copper, zinc and manganese deficiencies in fruit trees

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4

Volume 4

Number 4 April, 1963 Article 6

1-1-1963

Control of copper, zinc and manganese deficiencies in fruit trees Control of copper, zinc and manganese deficiencies in fruit trees

N J. Halse

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation

Halse, N J. (1963) "Control of copper, zinc and manganese deficiencies in fruit trees," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 4: No. 4, Article 6.

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CONTROL OF COPPER, ZINC AND MANGANESE DEFICIENCIES IN

FRUIT TREES

By N. J. HALSE, M.Sc. (Agric), Research Officer, Plant Research Division

T

HE three elements copper, zinc and manganese are plant nutrients of the type often referred to as minor or trace elements. Although essential elements for plant growth, they are required in comparatively small quantities.

leading to a profusion of dead sticks on the tree.

Apples

T h e symptom is referred to as "wither- tip." The terminal leaves on a shoot develop shiny dead flecks; subsequently t h e leaves fall a n d several inches of t h e wood dies back from the tip.

Fertile soils normally supply enough of these elements for crop p l a n t s but most Australian soils, unfortunately, are not so kind. Probably in no o t h e r p a r t of the world are m i n o r element deficiencies as common as in t h i s S t a t e .

Several t r e a t m e n t s are available for these deficiencies, a n d which one is used should depend on w h a t time of t h e year the deficiency is identified. Spray t r e a t - ments normally give a quick response but need to be repeated annually, or a t least biennally. Soil t r e a t m e n t s should give lasting control for u p to five years.

Copper deficiency occurs on all kinds of fruit trees on s a n d y or gravelly surfaced soils as well as on some heavier soils such as gravelly loams.

Zinc deficiency affects deciduous fruit trees on deep sands a n d similar poor soils, but is m u c h more common on citrus. Older citrus trees show zinc deficiency on almost any soil.

Manganese deficiency, in its milder forms, is likely to occur on any fruit tree on almost any soil type. Severe m a n g a n e s e deficiency is most common on very gravelly soils a n d especially severe where t h e gravel is of t h e large unevenly shaped type.

(Note.—In all cases t h e gravel referred to is ironstone g r a v e l ) .

SYMPTOMS Copper Deficiency

T h e g e n e r a l S V m p t o m Of COPPer d e - Copper deficiency on Yates apple, showing brown

flciency is d e a t h of t h e t e r m i n a l growth s p o t t i n g °f t e r m l n a l 'TieVacS s h o o t s ] u s t s t a r t l n B t o

241

Manganese deficiency on Granny Smith apple. Typical

severe symptoms

Pears

T h e s y m p t o m s are similar but t h e leaves t u r n black a n d cling to t h e dead twigs.

Citrus

T e r m i n a l shoot growth stops, t h e leaves fall a n d subsequently t h e twig dies. This leads to a profusion of dead twigs. Multiple budding is often noticed in severe cases.

Fruit d a m a g e shows as dead gummy p a t c h e s if t h e deficiency is severe.

Zinc Deficiency

T h e general s y m p t o m s are rosetting a n d yellowing of t h e t e r m i n a l growth. I n s t e a d of m a k i n g n o r m a l shoot extension on t h e t e r m i n a l s t h e leaves appear in tight clusters.

T h e leaves a r e small a n d pointed with bright yellow i n t e r v e i n a l blotching.

Deciduous Trees

T e r m i n a l s a t t h e e n d s of leaders are worst affected. H e a l t h y growth appears from lower on t h e affected leaders. Other leaders m a y be unaffected.

Citrus

Rosetting is not as m a r k e d as on de- ciduous trees. As well a s on small pointed t e r m i n a l leaves yellow blotching m a y be present on larger leaves.

Manganese Deficiency

T h e g e n e r a l s y m p t o m of m a n g a n e s e deficiency is loss of green colour in a n

interveinal p a t t e r n . I t c a n usually be differentiated from zinc deficiency by the following characteristics:—

(a) Older a n d shaded leaves are affected.

(b) Leaves m a y be t h i n n e r b u t a r e not reduced in size.

(c) The interveinal colour is pale green r a t h e r t h a n yellow a s in zinc deficiency.

T h e general symptoms are t h e s a m e on deciduous a n d citrus fruit trees.

A p h e n o m e n o n noticed on stone fruit particularly, is a m a n g a n e s e deficiency which shows up in spring but disappears during t h e season. Control of s u c h de- ficiency can improve tree growth.

CONTROL METHODS

Control methods for these m i n o r element deficiencies fall i n t o t h r e e groups—soil t r e a t m e n t , foliage spray a n d d o r m a n t spray. The t h i r d m e t h o d is of course, only suitable for deciduous fruit trees.

The recommended control t r e a t m e n t s are listed in t h e Table below. T h e abbrevia- tions used a r e : —

Copper s u l p h a t e crystals—CuSO..

Zinc sulphate crystals—ZnSOj.

Manganese s u l p h a t e crystals—MnSOj.

A new t r e a t m e n t which h a s been used successfully for n o n - b e a r i n g deciduous

Zinc deficiency on Dunns Seedling apple. Interveinal yellowing, resetted growth and die back are typical.

Marginal scorch only appears late in the season

trees is to spray t h e foliage in spring with 1 lb. CuS0⁴ plus 1 lb. ZnSCh p e r 100 gals., unneutralised.

Notes on Soil Treatment

Soil t r e a t m e n t s should be applied during the winter.

Copper sulphate is very toxic a n d must be kept away from t h e b u t t of t h e tree.

Use lighter rates on s a n d y soil a n d heavier rates on loam or clay soils.

Manganese s u l p h a t e should be dug into the soil or placed in a n u m b e r of holes 12 in. to 18 in. deep a r o u n d t h e tree.

Copper sulphate should be left on t h e surface.

Although more expensive, soil t r e a t m e n t is often worthwhile because of its lasting effect.

Notes on Dormant Spray

Dormant sprays should be applied late in t h e winter. Probably the best time is just before t h e late winter oil spray if one is used.

This spray is very effective for zinc deficiency.

C O N T R O L T R E A T M E N T S

Soil Dormant Spray Foliage Spray

Copper

Zinc

Manganese

8 oz.-2 lb. C u S 04 per t r e e

N o t recommended

1-2 lb. M n S 04 per tree below surface

IC-20 lb. CuSO per 100 gals.

20 lb. Z n S 04 per 100 gals.

40 lb. M n S O: per 100 gals.

10 lb. C u S 04

10 lb hydrated lime per 100 gals.

10 lb. ZnSO

5 lb hydrated lime per 100 gals.

10 lb. MnSO

3 lb. hydrated lime per 100 gafs.

Note.—Concentrations listed are m a x i m u m r a t e s ; refer to notes before using any t r e a t m e n t .

243

Notes on Foliage Spray

(1) Foliage sprays for any two or all t h r e e elements c a n be combined.

W h e n combining these sprays r e - duce t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n to t h e s a m e t o t a l c o n c e n t r a t i o n of salt as t h e single spray, for example—

5 lb. C u S 04 + 5 lb. ZnS04, or 3 lb. CuS0⁴ + 3 lb. Z n S 0⁴ + 4 lb. MnS04.

Use t h e s a m e proportion of lime to each salt when combining sprays.

(2) W h e n applying sprays on a n a n n u a l basis for prevention of a deficiency lower concentrations c a n be used.

W h e n applying sprays to tender foliage or especially on young fruit, t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n should be reduced.

On fruit varieties prone to russet, foliage copper sprays should not be applied.

(3) M a n g a n e s e s u l p h a t e sprays can be applied to most foliage quite safely w i t h o u t n e u t r a l i s a t i o n , a l t h o u g h t h e spray will ctick b e t t e r if it is neutralised. An alternative neutralising a g e n t to lime is w a s h - ing soda, t h i s m a y give a less u n - sightly deposit on fruit. It should be used a t equ?.l quantities w i t h t h e m a n g a n e s e sulphate, for ex- ample, 10 lb. MnSO, + 10 lb. w a s h - ing soda.

(4) Foliage sprays will be most effec- tive when applied to young fully e x p a n d e d foliage. For b o t h decid- uous a n d citrus trees November is usually a suitable time.

T h e addition of wetting agent to t h e spray is advisable.

(5) Compatibility of minor element sprays is similar to t h a t for Bordeaux m i x t u r e .

(6) I n m a k i n g u p minor element sprays t h e lime should be dissolved in a t least half t h e q u a n t i t y of w a t e r ; t h e m i n o r element salts a r e dissolved in t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e w a t e r a n d poured into t h e lime solution.

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