Copper is essential bridge for many plant functions

摘要

Copper (Cu) is present in turfgrasses at low concentrations (5 to 20 parts per million [ppm]) and or cycles through its functions quickly. Cu serves a number of essential roles based upon its easy ability to capture and surrender electrons, especially in reactions with free oxygen (O_2). There is a strong tendency for Cu~(2+) ion to capture an electron and function as an oxidizing agent. The resulting Cu~+ ion, which is unstable, readily gives an electron and acts as a reducing agent, particularly to oxygen. This endows Cu with properties exploited for plant and animal metabolism. The uniqueness of Cu to function as a strong oxidizing and reducing agent enables it to serve in ways that no other element can. What follows is a discussion of how theseproperties of Cu are utilized in plant metabolism.