Commercial phenoxyacetic herbicides control heavy metal uptake by wheat in a divergent way than pure active substances alone

BACKGROUND: Impact of two widely used commercial herbicides, i.e. Aminopielik D 450 SL and Chwastox 300 SL, on the uptake and translocation of selected heavy metals in wheat plants Triticum aestivum L. cultivated in the laboratory pot experiments was investigated. Mineral-humus, loamy sand soil representative for the central part of Poland was applied. Bioavailable, exchangeable and total forms of Cd, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn were determined. Transfer coefficients, translocation, and bioaccumulation factors illustrating metal migration in the plant were investigated. RESULTS: Administration of commercial herbicides significantly altered heavy metals uptake by wheat in a way distinctively different than that observed for the parent chemically pure synthetic auxins, i.e. 2,4-D and MCPA. In particular, Aminopielik D 450 SL and Chwastox 300 SL prompted heavy metals accumulation in roots as indicated by their high transfer coefficients. Further transport to above ground part of the plant was limited and element dependent. CONCLUSIONS: This work clearly shows that commercial herbicide formulations may act in a distinctively different way than pure active ingredients alone. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12302-017-0124-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.