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.
The results of previous research on antigenic (allotypic) specificities of immunoglobulins, alpha-globulins, beta-globulins and lipoproteins in cattle are reviewed. The suitability of heteroantibodies and alloantibodies for identification of this type of markers was analysed. New names/symbols of antigenic markers of proteins in cattle, identified at the Department of Immuno- and Cytogenetics of the National Research Institute of Animal Production (Balice/Kraków, Poland), were introduced.