Effect of copper application on take-all severity and grain yield of wheat in field experiments near Esperance, Western Australia

Abstract

The effect of copper (Cu) fertiliser on the incidence and severity of take-all of wheat was examined in 5 field experiments on soils naturally infested with Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici.Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown in soils at 5 levels of Cu fertiliser, ranging from nil to luxury levels of Cu (i.e. 5.0 kg Cuba) for wheat growth and grain yield. One soil was adequately supplied in Cu for wheat growth and yield. Copper-deficient wheat plants were more susceptible (P<0.05) to take-all than those plants with an adequate supply of Cu. The addition of Cu fertiliser beyond that required for maximum plant growth and grain yield had no effect (P<0.05) on the incidence and severity of take-all of wheat.