Black Oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) Growth and Root Anatomical Changes in Sandy Soil with Different Copper and Phosphorus Concentrations

Successive applications of copper-based (Cu) fungicides have increased Cu concentration in vineyard soils, inducing Cu toxicity in young vines and cover crops such as black oat, thus inhibiting growth and development. However, increasing soil phosphorus (P) content can reduce Cu toxicity symptoms. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cu toxicity and its alleviation by P fertilization in black oat cultivated in sandy soil. For the experiment, Typic Hapludalf soil samples were air-dried, prepared, and subjected to increasing doses of Cu (0, 30, and 60 mg kg−1) and P (0 and 100 mg kg−1). Subsequently, the soil was incubated and stored in pots, where black oat seedlings were grown for 30 days in a greenhouse. Plant roots subjected to Cu, especially with the highest Cu concentration and without P addition decreased the root cap size, showing early tissue differentiation and lateral root formation near the apical region. Decrease in dry matter (DM) production of roots (50 %) and shoots (67 %) was also observed in the highest Cu concentration. Plants without P addition, regardless of Cu concentration, also had lower root (33 %) and shoot (65 %) DM production. P addition in soil and its increased concentration reduced root anatomical changes and stimulated plant DM production. Therefore, we conclude that excessive Cu concentration alters black oat root anatomical structure, affecting plant growth, especially in sandy soils with low organic matter content. However, P supply can reduce root Cu toxicity symptoms, thus increasing plant dry matter production.