AGRICULURAL USE

The fungicidal effects of copper compound have been known for many years since the important discovery of Bordeaux Mixture in frame in the year 1887. Bordo is essentially is a mixture of copper sulphate and hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide). This compound has been proved to be a very effective non systemic fungicide for several crops. Thus the discovery of this product was a boon to the farming community. This water based product is sprayed on the leaves where the solid particles sit for a long time thereby resisting the fungal attack. The copper ins products in this mixture react with the sulphur contain ligands on the enzymes of the plant and inhabits the metabolism of the fungicides. As the copper ins have many sites of attacks, the fungi cannot build a resistance against this fungicide.

However the efficiency of Bordeaux mixture depends on the quality of the raw materials and the mode of preparation. Conventionally Bordeaux mixture is prepared by pouring copper sulphate solution into a hydrated lime slurry with good mixing until all copper values have been consumed by calcium hydroxide. In consumption of Bordeaux mixture in Indian agricultural sector I too high and so the requirement of good quality copper sulphate.