Copper pesticide
Encyclopedia
A copper pesticide is a copper compound used as a pesticide
or fungicide
. In the UK the Soil Association
(one of the organic certification authorities
) permits farmers to use some copper fungicides on organic land used for the production of certified organic crops only if there is a major threat to crops. During the 2008 growing season the compounds were applied to much of the organic potato crop to control potato blight (Phytophthora infestans
). The compounds permitted are copper sulfate, copper hydroxide, cuprous oxide, copper oxychloride, copper ammonium carbonate (at a maximum concentration of 25 g/l), and copper oxtanoate. According to the Soil Association the total copper that can be applied to organic land is 6kg/ha/year. This limit is designed so that the amount of copper in the soil does not exceed the limits specified in the Soil Association standards for heavy metals. Such copper compounds can build up in the soil and in excessive concentrations cause liver, kidney and blood disease.
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
or fungicide
Fungicide
Fungicides are chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill or inhibit fungi or fungal spores. Fungi can cause serious damage in agriculture, resulting in critical losses of yield, quality and profit. Fungicides are used both in agriculture and to fight fungal infections in animals...
. In the UK the Soil Association
Soil Association
The Soil Association is a charity based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1946, it has over 27,000 members today. Its activities include campaign work on issues including opposition to intensive farming, support for local purchasing and public education on nutrition; as well the certification of...
(one of the organic certification authorities
Organic certification
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, [food] processors, retailers and restaurants.Requirements vary...
) permits farmers to use some copper fungicides on organic land used for the production of certified organic crops only if there is a major threat to crops. During the 2008 growing season the compounds were applied to much of the organic potato crop to control potato blight (Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora infestans is an oomycete that causes the serious potato disease known as late blight or potato blight. . Late blight was a major culprit in the 1840s European, the 1845 Irish and 1846 Highland potato famines...
). The compounds permitted are copper sulfate, copper hydroxide, cuprous oxide, copper oxychloride, copper ammonium carbonate (at a maximum concentration of 25 g/l), and copper oxtanoate. According to the Soil Association the total copper that can be applied to organic land is 6kg/ha/year. This limit is designed so that the amount of copper in the soil does not exceed the limits specified in the Soil Association standards for heavy metals. Such copper compounds can build up in the soil and in excessive concentrations cause liver, kidney and blood disease.