Known since ancient times, the phenomenon of allelopathy has recently received greater attention from researchers and farmers worldwide. Crop failures and low yields caused by the reseeding, overseeding, crop rotation and replanting of fruit trees in orchards are believed to be caused by allelopathic activity. Moreover, the expensive and environmentally impacting herbicides for weed control have motivated studies directed at developing cheaper, environmentally-friendly alternatives. Despite the difficulties in separating chemical interference from other mechanisms, more modern approaches have produced consistent and conclusive data on this topic. The release and dynamics of allelochemicals in the soil are discussed herein. Examples of allelopathic crops, the allelochemicals produced and their uses in cropping systems are also presented along with current research trends regarding allelopathy.

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Allelopathy, an alternative tool to improve cropping systems. A review

This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of P. harmala leaf, stem and root extract on germination and growth of Avena fatua L. and Convolvulus arvensis L., as well as identification of the phytotoxic substances responsible for this activity. According to our results, the degree of toxicity of different P. harmala plant parts can be arranged in the following order: leaves > stems > roots. The two test species differed in their sensitivity to P. harmala extracts. Inhibitory effect on shoot length and seedling dry weight was more pronounced in C. arvensis, whereas higher reduction in germination, root length and total chlorophyll content occurred in A. fatua. A significant amount of water-soluble phenolic acids were found in P. harmala plant extracts. Total phenolic acids content was higher in leaf extracts when compared to that of stem or root extracts. Seven phenolic acids including gallic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid and ferulic acid were found in P. harmala leaf extracts. On the other hand, we identified four phenolic acids from stem (galllic acid, vanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and caffeic acid) and root (galllic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and cinnamic acid) extracts. The greater number of growth inhibitors detected in the leaves might explain the stronger inhibitory activity. Overall, our results suggest that P. harmala might be used as a natural herbicide for weed control and consequently reduce dependence on synthetic herbicides.

Allelopathic activity of different plant parts of Peganum harmala L. and identification of their growth inhibitors substances

In the face of yield losses caused by weeds, especially in low-input agricultural systems, and environmental pollution due to the excessive use of synthetic herbicides, sustainable weed management has become mandatory. To address these issues, allelopathy, i.e., the biochemical phenomenon of chemical interactions between plants through the release of secondary metabolites into the environment, is gaining popularity. Although many important crops are known for their allelopathic potential, farmers are still reluctant to use such knowledge practically. It is therefore important to assist advisors and farmers in assessing whether allelopathy can be effectively implemented into an eco-friendly weed management strategy. Here, we aim to give a comprehensive and updated review on the herbicidal potential of allelopathy. The major findings are the following: (1) Crops from different botanical families show allelopathic properties and can be cultivated alone or in combination with other non-allelopathic crops. (2) Many allelopathic tools can be adopted (crop rotation, intercropping, cover cropping as living or dead mulches, green manuring, use of allelochemical-based bioherbicides). (3) These methods are highly flexible and feature increased efficiency when combined into an integrated weed management strategy. (4) Recent advances in the chemistry of allelopathy are facilitating the use of allelochemicals for bioherbicide production. (5) Several biotechnologies, such as stress induction and genetic engineering techniques, can enhance the allelopathic potential of crops or introduce allelopathic traits de novo. This review shows how important the role of allelopathy for sustainable weed management is and, at the same time, indicates the need for field experiments, mainly under an integrated approach. Finally, we recommend the combination of transgenic allelopathy with the aforementioned allelopathic tools to increase the weed-suppressive efficacy of allelopathy.

Crop Allelopathy for Sustainable Weed Management in Agroecosystems: Knowing the Present with a View to the Future

Herbicidal activity of a medicinal plant, Peganum harmala L., and decomposition dynamics of its phytotoxins in the soil

Allelopathy is a form of amensalism, an association between organisms in which one is inhibited or destroyed and the other is unaffected through the release into the environment of secondary metabolites called allelochemicals. Allelopathic plant interactions has been known since the 4th century before Christ (BC), but only in recent years they have received an appropriated attention from international scientific community and farmers. Nowadays, in modern agriculture, allelopathy play a key role in maintenance the sustainability of agroecosystems through the adoption of environmentally-friendly strategies such as crop rotation, cover or smother crops, intercropping, crop residue incorporation, mulching and bioherbicides. Crops showing allelopathic properties are numerous: they include arboreal and herbaceous species as well as many weeds. Here we review the general principles and the basic aspects in the field of allelopathy and why they are important in developing innovative sustainable agricultural techniques in agroecosystems for weed control, crop protection, and crop re-establishment with respect of environmental, human and animal health. Particularly, we describe the guidelines for distinguishing allelopathy from competition in field conditions, as well as the chemical nature of allelochemicals. Secondly, we review the volatilization from living parts of the plant, the leaching from aboveground parts of the plant, the decomposition of plant material and the root exudation, which are the major pathways for the release of allelochemicals. Third, we review the influence of abiotic and biotic stress factors on the quantity of allelochemicals released by the donor plant and the effects of allelochemicals on the target plant. Light, temperature, water deficiency, minerals availability, soil characteristics and many biotic factors modify the production of allelochemicals and the sensitivity of target plants. Finally, the interference of alleochemicals with plant physiological processes was also reviewed. Allelopathic compounds rarely act alone, but generally generate “multiple cascating effects”. Allelopathic mechanisms influence plant successions, invasion, spatial vegetation patterns, mutualistic associations, soil nitrogen cycle, crop productivity and crop protection.

Allelopathy: Principles and Basic Aspects for Agroecosystem Control

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is widely cultivated in the semi-arid region of Tunisia for grain production and grazing, which often occurs during the same season. We previously demonstrated autotoxic effects of barley among varieties. The present study was conducted to test the effects of barley variety and seasonal variation on the expression of autotoxicity by barley. Four barley varieties were grown in a field experiment over three growing seasons (1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02). In the laboratory, germination and seedling growth bioassays were used to assess autotoxicity potential of field-harvested barley. Barley autotoxicity was fully expressed based on inhibition of radicle growth detected in seedling bioassays. Stems were often the most allelopathic plant component. Allelopathic activity of the barley varieties differed across growing seasons suggesting the influence of a seasonal effect due to the extent of water deficit during the dry season and monthly rainfall variability. The results suggest that when planning to integrate barley within cropping sequences, barley producers should carefully select appropriate barley varieties to minimize autotoxicity, which can be more severe under drought conditions.

Barley Autotoxicity as Influenced by Varietal and Seasonal Variation

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Barley Autotoxicity as Influenced by Varietal and Seasonal Variation