In addition to potentially providing control of bacterial diseases, a number of fungal diseases appear on the product labels of copper products.
Questions arise about just how effective copper products are for bacterial and fungal diseases.
Concerning control of bacterial blight, the situation is uncertain. You have the opportunity to hear an expert discuss efficacy of copper compounds, and resistance to copper in bacteria. Jay and OSU plant bacteriologist Larry Moore, together with their grad student Heather Scheck, recently completed a thorough research project to analyze whether long-term copper applications remained effective or not for control of a bacterial disease on ornamentals in Oregon. In general, a high level of bacterial resistance was found where coppers had been used regularly for many years. Also found was a wide range of effectiveness among copper products.