target sites and to understand their gene regulation and protein synthesis process
(Kato-Noguchi et al. 2013; Weston and Mathesius 2013).
4 Strategies for the Use of Allelochemicals as a Bioherbicide
Viable weed control is demanding to ensure food security for the growing population
of the globe. Chemical weed control is a paramount practice among the various weed
management methods that have been operated to control weeds in different crops
and ecological circumstances. However, the weed control by weedicides is fading
due to the progression of herbicide resistance in weeds and environmental concerns.
Several natural allelopathic compounds have been identified from plants (Jabran
2017). These innate phytotoxins could be tested directly as natural herbicides or
might be explored to develop novel bioherbicides (Dayan and Duke 2014). Zohaib
et al. (2016) studied more than 30 weed species including phytotoxic compounds
that displayed robust reticence against different crops and weeds; the phytotoxic
compounds can be explored to manage weeds. Most of the allelochemicals are
water-soluble compounds, so the application of allelochemicals on plants is easier;
there is no need for additional surfactants (Dayan et al. 2009; Vyvyan 2002). The
chemical structures of allelochemicals are very much companionable to the environment than synthetic ones. They consist of higher oxygen- and nitrogen-rich
molecules with a comparably few so-called “heavy atoms,” a halogen substitute,
and are categorized by the lack of “unnatural” rings. These characteristic features
decrease allelochemical’s environmental half-life and forbid accumulation of the
allelopathic compound in soil. Structure complexity creates more chiro-centers,
converting them into more reactive and unstable substances. The versatility of
allelopathins brands them assuring tools, retaining specific properties in identifying
unique, specific target sites in receiver plants. While relatively 70% of all recently
registered active pesticide components have their origins from a natural product
(Cantrell et al. 2012), hence, the natural allelochemicals may serve as nextgeneration herbicides due to their safer toxicological and environmental profiles
for a sustainable cleaner environment.
The allelochemicals inhibit photosynthesis and respiration and bind in different
target sites than synthetic herbicides. Allelochemicals are also portrayed with
multisite action in plants with low specificity. Therefore, this peculiar attribute
exempts the application of an allelopathic compound as a selective herbicide, but
at the same time, the effects of allelopathins in acceptor plants are highly dose
dependent (Belz et al. 2005). This allows the opportunity to search out compounds
exhibiting selectivity. Generally, monocotyledonous plants are more resistant to
allelochemicals than dicotyledonous ones. Therefore, the usage of a compound as
a potential herbicide is possible but rather restricted to the cultivation of exact crops
with a defined weed composition.
104
H. Palanivel et al.
(Kato-Noguchi et al. 2013; Weston and Mathesius 2013).
4 Strategies for the Use of Allelochemicals as a Bioherbicide
Viable weed control is demanding to ensure food security for the growing population
of the globe. Chemical weed control is a paramount practice among the various weed
management methods that have been operated to control weeds in different crops
and ecological circumstances. However, the weed control by weedicides is fading
due to the progression of herbicide resistance in weeds and environmental concerns.
Several natural allelopathic compounds have been identified from plants (Jabran
2017). These innate phytotoxins could be tested directly as natural herbicides or
might be explored to develop novel bioherbicides (Dayan and Duke 2014). Zohaib
et al. (2016) studied more than 30 weed species including phytotoxic compounds
that displayed robust reticence against different crops and weeds; the phytotoxic
compounds can be explored to manage weeds. Most of the allelochemicals are
water-soluble compounds, so the application of allelochemicals on plants is easier;
there is no need for additional surfactants (Dayan et al. 2009; Vyvyan 2002). The
chemical structures of allelochemicals are very much companionable to the environment than synthetic ones. They consist of higher oxygen- and nitrogen-rich
molecules with a comparably few so-called “heavy atoms,” a halogen substitute,
and are categorized by the lack of “unnatural” rings. These characteristic features
decrease allelochemical’s environmental half-life and forbid accumulation of the
allelopathic compound in soil. Structure complexity creates more chiro-centers,
converting them into more reactive and unstable substances. The versatility of
allelopathins brands them assuring tools, retaining specific properties in identifying
unique, specific target sites in receiver plants. While relatively 70% of all recently
registered active pesticide components have their origins from a natural product
(Cantrell et al. 2012), hence, the natural allelochemicals may serve as nextgeneration herbicides due to their safer toxicological and environmental profiles
for a sustainable cleaner environment.
The allelochemicals inhibit photosynthesis and respiration and bind in different
target sites than synthetic herbicides. Allelochemicals are also portrayed with
multisite action in plants with low specificity. Therefore, this peculiar attribute
exempts the application of an allelopathic compound as a selective herbicide, but
at the same time, the effects of allelopathins in acceptor plants are highly dose
dependent (Belz et al. 2005). This allows the opportunity to search out compounds
exhibiting selectivity. Generally, monocotyledonous plants are more resistant to
allelochemicals than dicotyledonous ones. Therefore, the usage of a compound as
a potential herbicide is possible but rather restricted to the cultivation of exact crops
with a defined weed composition.
104
H. Palanivel et al.