Reduced copper residue accumulation in soil following copper hydroxide-chitosan-Trichoderma consortium application

Excessive application of copper-based fungicides has led to concerns over soil contamination and its long-term ecological effects. This study evaluates the impact of the copper hydroxide-chitosan-Trichoderma (Cu-Chi-Tri) consortium on copper residue accumulation in soil, using elemental analysis through Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). After two consecutive years of Cu-Chi-Tri application for late blight management in potato, the elemental analysis of the soil samples revealed a significantly lesser accumulation of copper residue under consortia application, whereas substantial Cu accumulation was detected in soil where Cu(OH)₂ alone was utilised for the late blight management. The findings suggest that integrating chitosan and Trichoderma with a reduced Cu (OH)₂ dose minimizes residual accumulation, thus offering an ecofriendly strategy for disease management with long term prospect of soil health and sustainability.