Copper toxicity of clove [Syzygium aromaticum ( L.) Merr. and Perry] seedlings

P. Y. Yau, C. F. Loh and I . Abd. Rahman Azmil

Abstract

One-year-old clove seedlings grown in sand culture were given complete nutrient solutions with varying levels of copper (Cu) concentrations (0.25-250 ppm Cu/L) and observed for symptoms of Cu toxicity. The plants grew normally with applications of 0.25 nd 2.5 ppm Cu solution. However, Cu toxicity symptoms were observed in the leaves at 25 and 250 ppm Cu concentrations. The leaf and root Cu content of healthy plants ranged from 13.7 to 19.5 ppm and 77.0 to 92.3 ppm, respectively. The affected plants showed 3 to 10-fold increase in leaf Cu content compared with the healthy plants. The root Cu content of affected plants increased by 8 to 50-folds. The Cu toxiciry symptoms on clove are also discussed.

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