Light red, fairly soft and tough heavy metal or element (Cu). It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. The Latin name cuprum is derived from "aes cyprium" (ore from the island of Cyprus), where copper was mined in ancient times. In nature, it is mostly found in minerals such as coloured copper ore, chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite. As a component of many enzymes, copper is an essential trace element for all higher organisms.

Image 1 = copper nugget, image 2 = copper powder, image 3 = copper crystals
In plant growth, including grapevines, copper promotes the formation of chlorophyll, which is important for photosynthesis, and phytoalexins (growth substances). A copper deficiency manifests itself in narrow, pale green leaves, reduced shoot growth, shortened internodes and weak root formation.
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Egon Mark
Diplom-Sommelier, Weinakademiker und Weinberater, Volders (Österreich)