Copper Oxychloride 50% WP
- APVMA no.
- 93498
- Registrant
- Krishi Rasayan Exports Pvt. Ltd
- Formulation
- WETTABLE POWDER
Copper Oxychloride 50% WP is a broad-spectrum protectant fungicide containing 500 g/kg of copper present as copper oxychloride, formulated as a wettable powder. It serves as a foundational protectant across Australian horticultural systems, widely utilised in tree crops from pome fruit orchards in the Goulburn Valley and Batlow to citrus blocks in Sunraysia and the Riverland, as well as macadamia plantings in the Northern Rivers and tropical fruit growing areas around Bundaberg and the Atherton Tableland.
As a contact fungicide, it establishes a preventive barrier on target plant surfaces to inhibit fungal spore germination before infection occurs. Because it acts strictly as a surface protectant without systemic movement within plant tissue, thorough spray coverage across the canopy prior to rain events or high-risk infection periods is vital to maintain disease control throughout the growing season.
Active constituents
- COPPER PRESENT AS COPPER OXYCHLORIDE500 g /kg
Registered uses
Withholding period
All Crops - Do not harvest for 1 day after application.
The registered withholding period text specifies that produce must not be harvested for one day following application across all registered crops. Growers must log applications accurately in their orchard spray diary to ensure this one-day interval between spray completion and harvest is strictly observed.
Mode of action
Copper oxychloride belongs to FRAC Group M01 (multi-site contact activity). Free copper ions released upon application disrupt multiple metabolic processes and protein structures within fungal cells, preventing spore germination upon contact.
Resistance management
Because copper oxychloride operates via multi-site contact mechanisms, the risk of target fungal pathogens developing resistance is low. It acts as an essential component in resistance management spray diaries when rotated or tank-mixed with single-site systemic fungicides from different FRAC groups. Agronomists recommend combining multi-site protectants with cultural sanitation practices to maintain long-term disease control.
Tank-mix compatibility
Care should be taken when mixing copper oxychloride with acidic chemicals, foliar fertilizers, or certain emulsifiable concentrates, as increased copper solubility can lead to severe crop phytotoxicity. Avoid applying copper sprays in combination with or in close sequence to horticultural oils during hot weather or when trees are moisture-stressed. Always consult the approved APVMA label for specific physical compatibility warnings and conduct a small jar test before paddock-scale mixing.
Handling and environment
Operators should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed on the label during handling and application to prevent contact with skin and eyes and avoid inhaling dusty powder formulations. Prevent spray drift and run-off into aquatic environments, natural waterways, or non-target vegetation. For specific re-entry instructions, environmental hazards, and drift management constraints, consult the approved APVMA product label.
Common questions
- How does copper oxychloride differ from systemic fungicides?
- Copper oxychloride is a protective contact fungicide that remains on the surface of plant tissue to stop fungal spores from germinating. Systemic fungicides, by contrast, are absorbed into plant tissue to suppress or eradicate established internal fungal infections.
- Why is canopy coverage so critical when applying copper oxychloride?
- Because copper oxychloride acts strictly as a surface barrier without moving systemically through the leaf or fruit, any unsprayed foliage or tissue remains vulnerable to fungal spore germination. Complete canopy coverage prior to rain or infection events is essential.
- What factors increase the risk of copper phytotoxicity or fruit russeting?
- Applying copper during slow-drying humid conditions, under extreme heat, or in combination with acidic spray additives can release excessive soluble copper, leading to leaf burn or fruit skin marking. Always check label directions for weather and crop growth-stage cautions.
- How does a multi-site protectant assist with overall orchard spray programmes?
- Integrating a multi-site protectant (FRAC Group M01) early in the season helps lower baseline fungal pressure, reducing reliance on single-site systemic fungicides and protecting those higher-risk chemistry groups against resistance development.
- Where can I find specific application rates, spray volumes, and re-entry details?
- Specific application rates, required water volumes per hectare, re-entry periods, and detailed spray application instructions are explicitly provided on the approved APVMA product label attached to the container.