3.6 Effect of Allelopathy in Forestry Sectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 455
3.7 Economic Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
3.8 Allelopathy and Genetic Manipulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
4 Conclusion and Future Prospective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
Abstract
Allelopathy has shown both inhibitory and stimulatory roles in plant processes
such as on seed germination, overall growth, development, reproduction, disease/
weed management, cell division, or biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments
of other plants by releasing some allelochemicals, mainly secondary metabolites.
It is a multidisciplinary science, and their influences are noted in agriculture as
well as forestry sectors. However, in several cases, a proper understanding of
released chemical compounds or structure is desirable for the efficient positive
application. It has been reported that metabolites, for instance, phenols, alkaloids,
terpenoids, benzoxazinoids, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates, are some important allelochemicals. This chapter is focused on the role of secondary metabolites
as allelochemicals and their various applications.
Keywords
Allelochemicals · Agriculture · Forestry · Plant protection · Application
1
Introduction
Allelopathy (a biological phenomenon) term is detected from the Greek-derived
compounds allelo- and -pathy (meaning “mutual harm” or “suffering”). In this
phenomenon, one organism produces certain types of specific biochemicals which
affect the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction processes of other adjoining or neighboring organisms. In plant system, these types of biochemicals
(allelochemicals) are present in different parts of plants such as leaves, fruits,
flowers, pollen, roots, and stems. These chemicals interact and affect the functions
(respiration, photosynthesis, water balance, stomatal function, stem conductance of
water, xylem element flux, membrane permeability, cell division/development,
protein synthesis, enzyme activity alteration, and so on) of adjoining or neighboring
plants and other species or richness of species [1–4]. Basically, they are nonnutritional secondary metabolites which are released by plants in different conditions
and in different processes [5, 6]. In this phenomenon, due to interaction these
allelochemicals control abundance and distribution of species within the plant
community and also play a remarkable role in the success of invasive plants
[7–11], for instance, water hyacinth [12, 13], spotted knapweed [14], and garlic
mustard [15]. Allelopathy is also considered as one of the indirect factors of regular
cropping hindrances in the agriculture sector. Thus, in recent past, agricultural
production management plans and ecological restoration involving the application
of allelopathy and allelochemicals are increasing [1]. In forest ecosystem, trees and
442
A. Bachheti et al.
3.7 Economic Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
3.8 Allelopathy and Genetic Manipulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
4 Conclusion and Future Prospective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457
Abstract
Allelopathy has shown both inhibitory and stimulatory roles in plant processes
such as on seed germination, overall growth, development, reproduction, disease/
weed management, cell division, or biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments
of other plants by releasing some allelochemicals, mainly secondary metabolites.
It is a multidisciplinary science, and their influences are noted in agriculture as
well as forestry sectors. However, in several cases, a proper understanding of
released chemical compounds or structure is desirable for the efficient positive
application. It has been reported that metabolites, for instance, phenols, alkaloids,
terpenoids, benzoxazinoids, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates, are some important allelochemicals. This chapter is focused on the role of secondary metabolites
as allelochemicals and their various applications.
Keywords
Allelochemicals · Agriculture · Forestry · Plant protection · Application
1
Introduction
Allelopathy (a biological phenomenon) term is detected from the Greek-derived
compounds allelo- and -pathy (meaning “mutual harm” or “suffering”). In this
phenomenon, one organism produces certain types of specific biochemicals which
affect the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction processes of other adjoining or neighboring organisms. In plant system, these types of biochemicals
(allelochemicals) are present in different parts of plants such as leaves, fruits,
flowers, pollen, roots, and stems. These chemicals interact and affect the functions
(respiration, photosynthesis, water balance, stomatal function, stem conductance of
water, xylem element flux, membrane permeability, cell division/development,
protein synthesis, enzyme activity alteration, and so on) of adjoining or neighboring
plants and other species or richness of species [1–4]. Basically, they are nonnutritional secondary metabolites which are released by plants in different conditions
and in different processes [5, 6]. In this phenomenon, due to interaction these
allelochemicals control abundance and distribution of species within the plant
community and also play a remarkable role in the success of invasive plants
[7–11], for instance, water hyacinth [12, 13], spotted knapweed [14], and garlic
mustard [15]. Allelopathy is also considered as one of the indirect factors of regular
cropping hindrances in the agriculture sector. Thus, in recent past, agricultural
production management plans and ecological restoration involving the application
of allelopathy and allelochemicals are increasing [1]. In forest ecosystem, trees and
442
A. Bachheti et al.