4/24/2019 IRP written Report - Google Docs

Copper Sulfate as a Fungicide

Cooper Roslund, Hannah Ringel, Andrew Olvera, Lucas Cressler

Overview
Copper Sulfate is a commonly used agricultural product to protect certain crops from fungal and
nematode diseases. While copper sulfate inhibits pathogen growth, it also has the effect of curtailing plant
germination and plant growth. Copper sulfate also remains in the soil once applied to the plant and will
build up in concentration over time. Many vineyards in france have used copper sulfate as a fungicide for
many years and now have to deal with soil which is highly concentrated with copper which inhibits plant
growth.

Statement
Due to the dual nature of copper sulfate being both a fungicide but also a plant growth and germination
inhibitor, the limitation in concentration is very significant. If both the before mentioned effects of copper
sulfate application are tested, then there will inevitably be an optimal concentration which will eliminate
the required percentage of fungal growth, but also will not inhibit plant growth or germination to the
extent of non-economic viability.

How does Copper Sulfate affect the growth of plants, and help kill off harmful pests?
The effect of CuSO4 on both plant growth and the survival of yeast will be tested. The optimal
concentrations of CuSO4 used in fungicide will be found from this information.

Hypothesis
If a large array of copper sulfate concentrations are tested on yeast cultures and also on radish plants, and
these two experiment’s results are graphed together then a relationship between inhibiting fungal growth
and plant growth will be established. Using this relationship an optimal concentration of copper sulfate
can be established to maximize growth while also curtailing the required fungal growth.

The radish plant with a concentration of 6.266E^-2 M CuSO4 will have optimal growth compared to the
other five radish plants.

The streak plate with 6.266E^-2 M of CuSO4 will be the most effective in killing the yeast.

Significance
The significance of the findings from this experiment will be the relationship between the fungal growth
inhibition of copper sulfate and its plant growth and germination effects. Understanding at what
concentration copper sulfate inhibits the required fungal growth will allow for efficient use of this
potentially harmful chemical. Also experimenting on the effects of plant growth curtailment of copper
sulfate will inform users of potential risks of application. Efficiency of use of this harmful chemical is
paramount to a sustainable future.

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4/24/2019 IRP written Report - Google Docs

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