Characterization of Copper Toxicity Symptoms and Determination of Tissue Critical Concentration for Diagnostic Criteria in Korean Bred Strawberries

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of copper concentrations in fertilizer solution on the growth of and nutrient uptake by domestically bred strawberries. The characterization of toxicity symptoms as well as tissue analyses based on dry weight of above ground tissue were also conducted to determine the threshold levels in plants when toxicity developed in copper. The dry weights of the above ground tissue were not significantly different among the treatments of 0.25 mM to 1.0 mM in 'Keumhyang' and 'Maehyang' strawberries and that of 0.25 mM to 3.0 mM in 'Seolhyang' strawberry. This indicates that the 'Seolhyang' strawberry is more tolerant to copper toxicity than 'Keumhyang' or 'Maehyang' strawberries. Application of copper at high concentrations resulted in severe toxicity such as death of extensive areas of leaves. The lower leaves became yellow and die rapidly as the symptoms spread up the plants. The leaf blades and petioles died back to the crown and hang on by mechanical attachment. Symptoms of copper toxicity in lower leaves developed as browning on leaf margins and in patches between leaf veins that became necrotic. The elevation of copper concentrations in fertilizer solution did not influence the tissue phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents based on the dry weight of the above ground tissue. The tissue copper contents increased lineally as the copper concentrations in fertilizer solution were elevated. But the tissue iron, manganese and boron contents were not influenced by the concentrations. When the concentration of copper at which growth of a plant is retarded by 10% is regarded as threshold level, the copper contents based on dry weight of above ground plant tissue should be lower than 71.4, 57.9 and 74.8 mgㆍkg-¹ in 'Keumhyang', 'Maehyang' and 'Seolhyang' strawberries, respectively. The symptom characterization and established threshold level in copper toxicity would help growers to prevent the reduction of crop growth and yield in 'Seolhyang' strawberry cultivation.