Copper sulfate can be used to kill fungi. When mixed with lime water, it forms Bordeaux mixture, which is used to control fungi on crops such as lemons and grapes. Dilute solutions are used to sterilize aquariums and remove snails. Since copper ions are toxic to fish, the dosage must be strictly controlled. Most fungi can be killed with very low concentrations of copper sulfate. In addition, copper sulfate can also be used to control Escherichia coli. Aqueous solution of ketone sulfate has a strong bactericidal effect. It is mainly used in agriculture to prevent and control various diseases such as fruit trees, malt, potatoes, and rice, with good results, but has poor effects on rust and powdery mildew. At the same time, it causes phytotoxicity to plants, and is only used on crops with strong tolerance to copper ion phytotoxicity or on fruit trees in dormancy. It is a preventive fungicide that needs to be used before the disease occurs. It can also be used to remove algae in rice fields and ponds. It is also a trace element fertilizer that can improve the stability of chlorophyll, prevent chlorophyll from being destroyed prematurely, and promote crop absorption. Crops will lose their green color when they lack copper. When fruit trees lack copper, the fruits will be small and the flesh will become hard. In severe cases, the fruit trees will die. Crops that are sensitive to copper are cereals such as wheat, barley, oats, etc. It is mainly used for seed treatment and foliar fertilization.
