Abstract: Current evidence illustrates the significance of soil microbes in influencing the bioavailability of allelochemicals. This review discusses (i) the significance of soil microorganisms in influencing allelopathic expression, (ii) different ways of avoiding microbial degradation of putative allelochemicals, and (iii) the need of incorporating experiments on microbial modification of allelochemicals in laboratory bioassays for allelopathy. Several climatic and edaphic factors affect the soil microflora; therefore, allelopathy should be assessed in a range of soil types. Allelopathy can be better understood in terms of soil microbial ecology, and appropriate methodologies are needed to evaluate the roles of soil microorganisms in chemically-mediated interactions between plants.

Abstract: Antialgal allelochemicals were isolated from Phragmites communis Tris. The isolated allelopathic fraction showed strong inhibition activity on the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Microcystis aeruginosa but had no inhibition on Chlorella vulgaris. The 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of the allelopathic fractions on C. pyrenoidosa and M. aeruginosa were 0.49 and 0.79 mg/liter, respectively. The allelopathic activity of the fraction was species-specific. The isolated allelopathic fraction caused metal ion leakage from algal cells. The fraction decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase. The addition of the isolated fraction increased the concentration of unsaturated lipid fatty acids in cell membrane of C. pyrenoidosa and M. aeruginosa. This caused a change in plasma membrane integrity and the leakage of ions in the protoplast. The allelopathic compound was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate. Synthesized ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate also showed allelopathic activity on C. pyrenoidosa and M. aeruginosa. The EC50 of synthesized ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate on C. pyrenoidosa and M. aeruginosa were 0.49 and 0.65 mg/liter, respectively.

Abstract: Summary The objectives of this study were to identify traits in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) related to the competitive ability of the crop and to determine their importance. Weed biomass 1–2 weeks prior to ear emergence was used as a measure of genotypic differences in competitiveness against weeds. Crop trait measurements comprised early crop biomass, early shoot height, straw length, heading and maturity. Early crop biomass 1–2 weeks prior to ear emergence was used as an overall trait for the various characters related to early vigour. In addition to these morphological traits, the potential allelopathic activity of the tested cultivars was determined using an agar-based bioassay with Lolium perenne (ryegrass). In both barley and wheat, multiple regression analysis revealed that early crop biomass and potential allelopathic activity were the only parameters that significantly contributed to competitiveness. In barley, early crop biomass explained 24–57% of the observed genotypic variance across 4 years, allelopathic activity explained 7–58% and combined they explained 44–69% of the observed genotypic variance. In wheat, the corresponding figures were lower: 14–21% for early biomass, 0–21% for allelopathic activity and 27–37% when combined. Model predictions suggested that new cultivars with increased early vigour and allelopathic activity offer a potential to further reduce weed interference.

Abstract: The mechanisms by which invasive species affect native communities are not well resolved. For example, invasive plants may influence other species through competition, altered ecosystem processes, or other pathways. We investigated one potential mechanism by which invasive plants may harm native species, allelopathy. Specifically, we explored whether native tree species respond differently to potential allelopathic effects of two invasive plant species. We assessed the separate effects of Lolium arundinaceam (tall fescue) and Elaeagnus umbellata (autumn olive) on three common successional tree species: Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood), and Platanus occidentalis (sycamore). Tall fescue and autumn olive are widely planted and highly invasive or persistent throughout North America where they often grow in forest edges, old fields, and other sites colonized by pioneering tree species. In an exploratory greenhouse experiment, we applied aqueous extracts derived from soil, leaf litter, or live leaves to native trees. We compared these treatments to a sterile water control and also to minced leaves leached in water, a common, but potentially less realistic method of testing for allelopathy. For all tree species, minced leaves from tall fescue reduced the probability that seedlings emerged, and minced leaves of autumn olive reduced the number of days to emergence. During other demographic stages, the three native tree species diverged in their responses to the invasive plants. Platanus occidentalis exhibited the widest range of responses, with reduced root biomass due to minced tissue from both invasive species, reduced days to emergence and marginally reduced survival from minced tall fescue, and reduced leaf biomass from tall fescue leaf litter. Populus deltoides appeared insensitive to most extracts, although survival was marginally increased with application of minced or fresh leaf extracts from autumn olive. In addition, minced tall fescue shortened the time to seedling emergence for Acer saccharinum, potentially a positive effect. Overall, results suggest that allelopathy may be one mechanism underlying the negative impacts of tall fescue and autumn olive on other plant species, but that effects can depend strongly upon the source of allelochemicals and the tree species examined.

Abstract: Summary 1 We tested the enemy release hypothesis for invasiveness using field surveys of herbivory on 39 exotic and 30 native plant species growing in natural areas near Ottawa, Canada, and found that exotics suffered less herbivory than natives. 2 For the 39 introduced species, we also tested relationships between herbivory, invasiveness and time since introduction to North America. Highly invasive plants had significantly less herbivory than plants ranked as less invasive. Recently arrived plants also tended to be more invasive; however, there was no relationship between time since introduction and herbivory. 3 Release from herbivory may be key to the success of highly aggressive invaders. Low herbivory may also indicate that a plant possesses potent defensive chemicals that are novel to North America, which may confer resistance to pathogens or enable allelopathy in addition to deterring herbivorous insects.

Abstract: We surveyed naturally occurring leaf herbivory in nine invasive and nine non-invasive exotic plant species sampled in natural areas in Ontario, New York and Massachusetts, and found that invasive plants experienced, on average, 96% less leaf damage than non-invasive species. Invasive plants were also more taxonomically isolated than non-invasive plants, belonging to families with 75% fewer native North American genera. However, the relationship between taxonomic isolation at the family level and herbivory was weak. We suggest that invasive plants may possess novel phytochemicals with anti-herbivore properties in addition to allelopathic and anti-microbial characteristics. Herbivory could be employed as an easily measured predictor of the likelihood that recently introduced exotic plants may become invasive.

Abstract: A study was conducted to assess the phytotoxicity of residues of Parthenium hysterophorus, an exotic invasive weed, towards the growth of three Brassica species (Brassica campestris, Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa). The early growth of crops, measured in terms of seedling length and dry weight, was significantly reduced when grown in soil amended with varying amounts of Parthenium residues. A direct relationship was observed between the amount of residue incorporated in the soil and growth reduction. This adverse effect on Brassica crops indicates the presence of some growth-retardatory substances which are possibly released by the residues into the soil medium. In order to test this, aqueous extracts (1, 2, and 4%) of residues were prepared. It was observed that, in a laboratory bioassay, these extracts severely reduced the early growth of Brassica species, thereby indicating the presence of some water-soluble, inhibitory principles in Parthenium residues. A significant amount of the phenolics, the largest group of secondary metabolites usually implicated in allelopathy, was estimated in residue extracts, as well as in residue-incorporated soil. The phenolic content increased with increasing residue concentration, thereby showing their direct involvement in the observed growth inhibitions. Therefore, the study establishes that Parthenium residues exert an allelopathic influence on the early growth of Brassica crops by releasing water-soluble phenolics into the soil.

Abstract: Robinia pseudo-acacia L. (black locust) is a nonindigenous species currently invading the central part of Japanese grasslands. Several allelochemicals were identified and characterized from the leaf tissue. The growth of both radicle and hypocotyl in the tested species (barnyard grass, white clover, lettuce, and Chinese cabbage) was reduced when grown in soil mixed with the leaves of R. pseudo-acacia at various concentrations. Aqueous leaf extracts, when bioassayed, exhibited a significant suppression of radicle growth. Chromatographic separation of an ethanolic extract of R. pseudo-acacia leaves resulted in isolation of three compounds, identified as robinetin (1), myricetin (2), and quercetin (3) by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. All inhibited root and shoot growth of lettuce. Robinetin, found in a large amount, caused 50% suppression of the root and shoot growth of lettuce at 100 ppm. The presence of these bioactive substances in leaf tissue suggests a potential role for flavonoids in R. pseudo-acacia invasion in introduced habitats.

Abstract: Allelopathy has been hypothesized to promote the success of invasive plants. Support for the role of allelopathy in invasions has emerged from research on the candidate allelochemical (−)-catechin, which is secreted by spotted knapweed. Here we describe new methods to quantify catechin in liquid and soil. With a new technique, we assayed catechin production by individual plants in liquid media and found levels up to two orders of magnitude less than previously reported. An acetone/water solution provided consistent recovery of catechin from soil, with percent recovery depending upon soil type. We evaluated soils from two spotted knapweed sites in Montana, USA, but found no measurable catechin. Idaho fescue, a native species reportedly sensitive to catechin, only exhibited slightly reduced growth at concentrations 10 times higher than previously reported to cause 100% mortality. Our results emphasize that more research is required to clarify the role of catechin in the invasion of spotted knapweed.

Abstract: For aquatic systems, studies on allelopathic interactions among phytoplankton have increased over recent years, with the main focus on the role of the donor organism. In this study, we report on the response of a target organism to allelochemicals and whether this response was affected by stress conditions (nutrient limitation). We exposed the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, grown under different nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) conditions (NP, -N, or -P), to single or daily additions of a cell-free filtrate of Prymnesium parvum (grown with no nutrient limitation). When we exposed T. weissflogii to a single addition of filtrate, all 3 treatments were inhibited by P. parvum. However, T. weissflogii NP was the most resistant, while T. weissflogii -N showed the highest sensi- tivity to P. parvum filtrate, followed by T. weissflogii -P. When T. weissflogii was exposed to daily additions of P. parvum, the degree of inhibition of all T. weissflogii treatments was higher than when only 1 initial addition was made. In this case, even the treatment that had the highest resistance (T. weissflogii NP) was not only inhibited by the filtrate, but also showed a decrease in cell numbers. Nevertheless, T. weissflogii -N was still more sensitive than the other treatments. Therefore, nutri- ent-limiting conditions may increase allelopathic effects, by making the target more susceptive to allelopathic compounds. Under these conditions, allelopathy may play a strong role in phytoplankton competition, especially in natural environments where the allelochemicals are continuously released and, thus, the target species do not have time to recover.

Abstract: The response of an organism to a chemical depends, among other things, on the dose. Nonlinear dose-response relationships occur across a broad range of research fields, and are a well established tool to describe the basic mechanisms of phytotoxicity. The responses of plants to allelochemicals as biosynthesized phytotoxins, relate as well to nonlinearity and, thus, allelopathic effects can be adequately quantified by nonlinear mathematical modeling. The current paper applies the concept of nonlinearity to assorted aspects of allelopathy within several bioassays and reveals their analysis by nonlinear regression models. Procedures for a valid comparison of effective doses between different allelopathic interactions are presented for both, inhibitory and stimulatory effects. The dose-response applications measure and compare the responses produced by pure allelochemicals [scopoletin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one); DIBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxaxin-3(4H)-one); BOA (benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one); MBOA (6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one)], involved in allelopathy of grain crops, to demonstrate how some general principles of dose responses also relate to allelopathy. Hereupon, dose-response applications with living donor plants demonstrate the validity of these principles for density-dependent phytotoxicity of allelochemicals produced and released by living plants (Avena sativa L., Secale cereale L., Triticum L. spp.), and reveal the use of such experiments for initial considerations about basic principles of allelopathy. Results confirm that nonlinearity applies to allelopathy, and the study of allelopathic effects in dose-response experiments allows for new and challenging insights into allelopathic interactions.

Abstract: This study investigated the allelopathic effects of various weeds extracts on seed germination of 11 crop species. Most of the weed extracts tested had inhibitory effects on seed germination of common bean, tomato, pepper, squash, onion, barley, wheat, and corn at different application rates as compared with the 10% acetone control. Chickpea seed germination was inhibited by extracts of Solanum nigrum L., Chenopodium album L., and Matricaria chamomilla L. (10%, 20% and 22.5%, respectively) at the end of 21 day incubation period. However, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., and Reseda lutea L. extracts stimulated chickpea seed germination at the rates of 95%, 94%, and 93%, respectively, compared to control. It was concluded that some of the weed extracts tested in this study could be used as inhibitor while others could be used as stimulator for the crops.

Abstract: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a common name for cereal grasses of a genus of the grass family, cultivated for food since prehistoric times by the people of the temperate zones and now the most important grain crop of those regions. It has allelopathic potential if used as a cover crop for weed control in various cropping systems. Research results indicate that, among modern varieties, there is a variable resistance potential against weeds. Numerous allelochemicals have been identified in wheat, mainly belonging to the categories of phenolic acids, hydroxamic acids and short-chain fatty acids. Some researchers conceived that wheat allelopathy is genetically controlled, but systematic research on gene behaviors is lacking. The negative effects of wheat on other crops under different agricultural production systems have been reported. Research is needed to determine the genetic control of wheat allelopathy prior to the development of allelopathic wheat varieties. Further research is needed to conduct in vitro studies to isolate, identify and quantify allelochemicals from living wheat plants at different growth stages. Also, the relationship between heritages of modern varieties and the allelopathic characteristics of wheat during their evolution and selection by humans is still unclear. There is also a lack of research on the modern varieties as to whether the allelopathic potential can be genetically transferred to the next generation. In the future, more models and assessment systems must be developed to illuminate the essence of allelopathy and the genomes of wheat with allelopathic traits should be constructed to make available allelopathic bioinformation on wheat.

Abstract: Field studies have shown that weed density and biomass were lower in crops following incorporation of brassica cover crops compared with fallow but have not determined whether weed-suppressive effects are solely a consequence of reduced establishment, as evidenced in our companion paper, reduced growth of established plants, or both In 2002 and 2003, canola and yellow mustard were seeded in early May, mowed in early July, and the residues incorporated Green bean and redroot pigweed were then planted at fixed densities Plant height and biomass were measured weekly; leaf area and biomass of component plant parts were measured at three harvests Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) at discreet sampling points, growth of redroot pigweed and green bean in monoculture or mixture were similar following fallow and incorporated brassica cover crops However, based on aboveground biomass fitted to a Richards function, redroot pigweed growth in monoculture was reduced by the yellow mustard cover crop co

Abstract: The traditional methods of weed control in cultivated pasture do not meet society's present and future needs of protecting natural resources and life quality. An alternative to this problem could be the use of secondary metabolites produced by plants. These products present few risks to the environment and meet society interests. Therefore, this research was carried out to isolate, identify and characterize the allelopathic activity of chemical compounds produced by the forage grass Brachiaria humidicola. The allelopathic effects of the extracts, fractions and compound were tested on seed germination and root elongation of the weeds Mimosa pudica, Senna obtusifolia and Senna occidentalis. Germination bioassays were developed under 25 oC and a photoperiod of 12 hours. For root elongation, the bioassay conditions were 25 oC and photoperiod of 24 hours. Hydromethanolic extract was used as a source for isolating and identifying p-coumaric acid. The allelopathic effects were positively related to p-coumaric acid concentration, weed species and the evaluated parameter. Comparatively, S. occidentalis and M. pudica showed the greatest sensitivity to the allelopathic effects. For S. obtusifolia no allelopathic effects promoted by p-coumaric acid on seed germination or on root elongation could be detected under the concentration of 1.0 and 8.0 mg L-1. Root elongation was more sensitive to p-coumaric acid allelophatic effects than seed germination.

Abstract: Shredded and chipped wood mulches are used for weed suppression in perennial fruit crops, in urban landscapes, and occasionally in vegetable crops. Wood chip mulches with weed-suppressing allelochemicals may be more effective for weed control, especially under sustainable and organic production systems, than mulches without such properties. The objective of this study was to test for the presence of water-soluble allelochemicals in wood chips derived from tree species, often found in wood resource recovery operations in the southeastern US. Presence of allelochemicals in water eluates of woodchips and leaves was evaluated in a lettuce bioassay. Eluates of wood chips from red maple (Acer rubrum L.), swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii Nutt.), red cedar (Juniperus silicicola L.H. Bailey), neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), and magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora L.) highly inhibited germinating lettuce seeds, as assessed by inhibition of hypocotyl and radicle growth. The effects of wood chip eluates from these five species were more than that found for eluates from wood chips of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.,) a species previously identified to have weed-suppressing allelochemicals. Tests on red cedar, red maple, and neem showed that water-soluble allelochemicals were present not only in the wood but also in the leaves. In greenhouse trials, red cedar wood chip mulch significantly inhibited the growth of florida beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum DC.), compared to the gravel-mulched and no-mulch controls.

Abstract: Aqueous extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus leaf and flower seriously inhibited seed germination and seedling growth (root and shoot length) of lettuce. Extracts of the root and stem had much less effect. Lettuce roots were more sensitive to the allelopathic effect than shoots. It appears that early removal of Parthenium weed from lettuce fields is essential to avoid poor germination and seedling growth. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Abstract: Summary The inhibitory activity of water extracts from the shoots and roots of three rice cultivars, Taichung native 1 (TN1) and IAC165 (both allelopathic rice) and AUS196 (non-allelopathic rice), grown in hydroponics was evaluated. The release of germination inhibitors by allelopathic rice plants into hydroponic solution was also determined with freshly collected solution and XAD-4 resin desorbate. The degree of the inhibition was quantified in terms of root growth in Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli, Echinochloa crus-galli var. oryzicola, Triantema portulacastrum and Lactuca sativa. The allelopathic activity of rice was species specific, and depended on source and concentration. Root length of all test species was inhibited by the different concentrations of shoot extract of allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice. However, of the three cultivars, TN1 showed higher inhibition than IAC165 and AUS196 in all test species. Water extracts of shoots and roots significantly inhibited root growth in E. crus-galli but the shoot extract gave a greater inhibitory effect on E. crus-galli than the root extract. Root exudate of TN1 inhibited root elongation of E. crus-galli from 2 weeks after transplanting (WAT) and the inhibition continued for 4 WAT. The results confirmed the previous finding of a laboratory bioassay that the TN1 had allelopathic activity and produced allelochemicals that inhibit growth of some weed species.

Abstract: Plants may produce compounds that directly or indirectly affect their biological environment. These compounds fall within a broad category of compounds called allelochemicals, and are exclusive of food that influences growth, health, or behavior of other organisms (Whittaker and Feeney 1971). One reason for interest in allelochemicals is their potential for use in alternative pest management systems. Using plant-produced allelochemicals in agricultural and horticultural practices could minimize synthetic pesticide use, reduce the associated potential for environmental contamination, and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural system.

Abstract: Fresh, senesced, and decaying pine needles from Pinus halepensis were evalu- ated for their allelopathic potential on Festuca arundinacea, Cynodon dactylon and the biosensor plants Avena sativa and Lemna minor through in vivo and in vitro studies. The in vivo study was performed in growth chambers, using 6, 12, and 18 g of pine needle tissue mixed with screened perlite as a substrate. The effects of the different pine needle types were evaluated by determining the total root length, total root surface, root dry weight, total shoot length, total shoot surface, and shoot dry weight. The in vitro study was performed in Petri dishes where seeds from each species were subjected to an increasing concentration of pine needle extract. The extracts were obtained from pine needle ground tissue that was diluted with water and either shacked at room temperature or placed in water bath at 40 °C for 24 h. The evaluation of the allelopathic potential was performed with the determination of radicle length. The allelopathic potential of the pine needle tissues was confirmed with bioassays using oat (A. sativa) and duckweed (L. minor). The results strongly suggested the allelopathic potential of the pine needle tissue, being more pronounced in the fresh, moderate in the senesced, and low in the decaying pine needles. The allelopathic substances were species-specific, and the inhibition resistance of the species tested followed the order F. arundinacea > C. dactylon > A. sativa. The inhibition of the L. minor suggested that the water soluble phytotoxic compounds were inhibitors of Photosystem II. Plants produce many compounds that have no apparent metabolic, physiological, or struc- tural role for the producer. These secondary metabolites might exhibit allelopathic effects and influence other organisms in the vicinity of the producer (Rice, 1984). In many cases, allelochemicals function as biochemical defence mechanisms or possess insecticidal, repellent, antifeedant, and antimicrobial ac- tivities (Grainge and Ahmed, 1988; Peterson et al., 1989). In turfgrasses, allelopathy has been inves- tigated as an interactive mechanism to explain competition between species (Lickfeldt et al., 2001). Brede (1991) was unable to determine allelopathic inhibitory action when leachate collected from a Poa annua putting green was applied onto bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera ssp. palustris Huds.). In contrast, Buta et al. (1987) found different degrees of lettuce seed- ling growth inhibition when seed leachate from various turfgrasses was applied. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has been found to exhibit allelopathic effects on birdsfoot tre-

Abstract: Allelopathy arises from the release of chemicals by one plant species that affect other species in its vicinity, usually to their detriment. It has been demonstrated, in plant communities, to be a factor of ecological significance by influencing plant succession, dominance, climax formation, species diversity, structure of plant communities and productivity (Whittaker and Feeney, 1971; Rice, 1984; Chou, 1989). In agroecosystems, allelopathic effects between living weeds and crops, crops in mixtures, plant straw residue and succeeding crops during decomposition of residue are also well documented (Putnam, 1978; Rice, 1984). This phenomenon has been observed for over 2000 years. Reports as early as 300 BC document that many crop plants (eg., chick pea, barley, bitter vetch) destroyed weeds and inhibited the growth of other crop plants. The soil sickness problem in agriculture was specifically related to exudates of crop plants (Rice, 1984). However, intensive scientific research on this phenomenon only started on 20th century. The term allelopathy was first introduced by a German scientist Molisch in 1937 to include both harmful and beneficial biochemical interactions between all types of plants including microorganisms. Rice (1984) reinforced this definition in the first monograph on allelopathy. Contemporary researchers have broadened the context of allelopathy to include interactions between plants and higher animals, and have suggested that allelopathy may be part of a whole network of chemical communication between plants, and between plants and other organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, insects and mammals, and that such communication may contribute to plant defence (Harborne, 1987; Lovett and Ryuntyu, 1992; Einhellig, 1995; Siemens et al., 2002). Chemicals that impose allelopathic influences are called allelochemicals or allelochemics (Putnam and Tang, 1986). They may be largely classified as secondary plant metabolites, which are generally considered to be those compounds (such as alkaloids, isoprenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and glucosinolates etc.) which do not play a role in primary metabolic processes essential for a plant’s survival, and are produced as offshoots of primary metabolic pathways. In contrast to primary metabolism, which comprises several hundreds of low molecular weight compounds, tens of thousands of secondary substances are known today, but only a limited number have been implicated as allelochemicals (Rice, 1984). Allelochemics are present in virtually all plant tissues, including leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, roots, rhizomes, seeds and pollen. They may be released from plants into the environment by means of four ecological processes: volatilisation, leaching, root exudation, and decomposition of plant residues. Several chemicals can be released together and may exert toxicities in an additive or synergistic manner (Putnam and Tang, 1986). During the last two decades, the science of allelopathy has attracted a great number of scientists from the diverse fields world wide and is now viewed from a multifaceted approach (Rice, 1984, 1985; Putnam and Tang, 1986; Rizvi and Rizvi, 1992; Inderjit, et al., 1995, 1999; Narwal et al., 1998; Macias et al. 1999; Chou et al., 1999; Kohli et al., 2001). This diverse interest has been greatly driven by the prospects that allelopathy holds for meeting increased demands for sustainability in agriculture and quality food production for humans, on reducing environmental damage and health hazards from chemical inputs, minimizing soil erosion, reducing reliance on synthetic herbicides, and for finding alternatives to replace them (Einhellig, 1995; Dakshini et al., 1999; Singh et al., 2001). Of the disciplines involved in allelopathy research, mathematical modelling is making increasingly significant contributions. Such theoretical contributions range from separating allelopathy from competition (Weidenhamer et al., 1989; Nakamaru and Iwasa, 2000), characterizing allelopathy and its ecological roles (Cheng, 1995; Dubey and Hussain, 2000; Goslee et al., 2001; Sole et al., 2005), elucidating fundamentals of allelopathy (An et al., 1993; Liu et al., 2003), simulating specific cases, eg. plant residue allelopathy (An et al., 1996) and plankton allelopathy (Mukhopadhyay et al., 1998, 2003), to the modelling of effects by external factors, such as density of target plants (Weidenhamer et al., 1989; Sinkkonen, 2001). This article, largely based on our previous modelling work, is to specifically discuss some fundamental issues associated with the dose-response phenomenon in allelopathic research, to review the latest developments in this area, and to further illustrate the above-mentioned contributions that mathematical modelling can make to this discipline.

Abstract: Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. presents the capacity to form dense and dominant populations, being possible the occurrence of allelopathy as one of the strategies in these populations establishment. With the purpose of verifying the existence of allelopathic potential in D. viscosa, germination and initial growth bioassays in Petri dishes were performed, using lettuce as target plant. Aqueous extracts of D. viscosa dryed leaves, at concentrations of 2 and 4%, obtained by static maceration with cold and hot water, were utilized. As control, distilled water was used. The pH, osmotic potential and yield of the extracts were determined to exclude non allelopathic effects. Tannins and saponins were detected in the extracts by qualitative phytochemical reactions. Both extracts prepared with cold water and the 4% extract obtained with hot water affected lettuce germination, altering the total germination, the average time, the average speed and the entropy of treated achene’s germination. The lettuce hypocotyl and root development was inhibited by the extracts obtained with hot water. The results indicate the existence of allelopathic potential in D. viscosa, once the extracts contain chemical substances possibly inhibitory to the germination.