ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Effect of Phenoxyacetic Herbicides
on the Uptake of Copper, Zinc and Manganese
by Triticum Aestivum L.
J. Kobyłecka, E. Skiba
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Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Technical University of Łódź,
Żeromskiego 116, 90-924 Łódź, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2008;17(6):895-901
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) are active
substances in many weed-killer agents commonly used for the protection of crops. The literature data accompanied
by our former studies showed that in weak-acid and neutral environments these compounds react with
bivalent metal ions and form complexes of limited solubility in water. It was assumed that the formation of
the complexes can also occur between metals present in soil and herbicides used for plant spraying, which can
reduce the uptake of the metals by the above-ground parts of the plants. Our studies concerned copper, zinc
and manganese determination in wheat cultured using the pot method under laboratory conditions. Cultures
were treated after sprouting with either 2,4-D or MCPA. The content of copper, manganese and zinc was determined
in the wheat straw. In comparison with the content in plants untreated with herbicides, the respective
values were lower by ~50% for Mn, 20% for Cu and 13% for Zn.