Quik Guide to Cop-R-Quik
and Vegetable Production
Why Cop-R-Quik?
Copper is an essential mineral
element.
“Es-sen-tial: of the utmost importance, basic,
indispensable, necessary.”
Essential - Nowhere in the definition will you
see the word “optional”. Copper is not
an “optional” plant nutrient. In
organic, natural soils, trace amounts of copper are mined by native plants in
the amounts necessary to accomplish its functions in the plant. In a commercial farm operation, literally hundreds
of pounds of mineral nutrients – N, P, K, etc. – are sometimes added. That is a game changer. In
almost all cases, supplemental copper is essential
for optimum plant health and production.
What are the top three qualities, or characteristics,
of a good copper nutritional?
Solubility. Solubility.
Solubility. If it’s NOT soluble –
it’s NOT acceptable.
Most traditional copper pesticides are insoluble in water. The application of these products results in the
characteristic blue coating that you see ON the leaf. While these products provide a coating ON the
leaf, the copper is obviously not IN the leaf.
These products have little effect on copper levels INSIDE the plant. They eventually wash off the leaf, and
inevitably wind up in the soil – NOT in the plant.
Which product contains the most
soluble source of copper?
Cop-R-Quik. The copper in Cop-R-Quik is almost five times more soluble than that of its
closest competitor. The copper in Cop-R-Quik is also very
hygroscopic. Instead of moisture
evaporating FROM the leaf surface, Cop-R-Quik
attracts moisture TO the leaf surface. Whereas
the copper sulfate pentahydrate utilized in competitive products can
potentially dry, precipitating ON the leaf surface, Cop-R-Quik remains soluble, and in an active, available form until
it is completely IN the plant. Thus, Cop-R-Quik has a higher level of
consistency, and outperforms other copper nutritionals.
In terms of environmental impact,
which copper product is superior?
Cop-R-Quik. Where traditional copper products have been
used extensively, toxic levels of copper eventually build in the soil. This requires the grower to maintain high soil
pH levels so that the excessively applied copper is immobilized. High pH levels adversely alter the soil
chemistry, resulting in the immobilization of other essential elements. The end
result is less productive plants that
are more susceptible to disease. On the other hand, virtually all foliarly
applied Cop-R-Quik goes IN the plant, where it performs essential tasks that only copper can do, and where it has NO
adverse influence in the soil.
Cop-R-Quik is a highly soluble, amino acid complexed copper. Why is that important?
Two Reasons:
First, the copper
ion is positively charged (Cu+) and the leaf surface is negatively
charged. As you might suspect, this combination
has a detrimental effect on foliar uptake.
Whereas small, uncharged molecules – such as urea – move quickly and easily
through cellular structures, ionized copper does not move nearly as well. As part of an amino acid complex, however,
the positive charge is neutralized, and the complexed copper moves more readily
through the leaf surface, much like urea.
In fact, within two hours, most of the copper is in the leaf.
Second, the Cop-R-Quik advantage continues after the
copper enters the plant tissue. Because
of its highly reactive properties, we know that the long distance transport of
Cu+ in the plant most likely occurs in a complexed form with soluble
nitrogen compounds – amino acid complexes – or , in other words, as Cop-R-Quik.
Cop-R-Quik is indeed quick – and effective.
Is Cop-R-Quik safe? Cop-R-Quik has already
been applied safely on tens of thousands of acre without a hitch – and the
results have been impressive.
Is Cop-R-Quik a fungicide?
No, Cop-R-Quik is a nutritional
copper product, and a natural alternative to traditional fungicides, with no
reentry restrictions or preharvest intervals.
In greenhouse studies by Monica Ozores-Hampton, Ph.D., University of
Florida/IFAS/SWFREC, Immokalee, FL, Cop-R-Quik demonstrated its potential
impact in the control of Bacterial Spot, on Tomatoes. Data is shown below:
Cop-R-Quik
Quick – Effective – Safe – Affordable