5.3 Allelopathy of Unexplored Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
5.4 Understanding About Mode of Action of Allelochemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Abstract
A large number of plant and weed species produce secondary metabolites
known as allelochemicals, and the process is known as allelopathy.
Allelochemicals can be used to control weeds in agricultural systems by
using allelopathic crops for intercropping, crop rotation, or mulching. A few
important examples of crop species with high allelopathic potential may
include (but not limited to) wheat, rice, sorghum, rye, barley, and sunflower.
The naturally produced allelochemicals in these crops could be manipulated
to suppress weeds and witness an environment-friendly and sustainable
agricultural production system.
Keywords
Allelopathy · Weed control · Allelopathic crops · Crop rotation · Intercropping ·
Cover crops
1
Introduction/Importance of Allelopathic Weed Control
Sustainable weed control is critical to ensure food security for future
generations. Chemical weed control has been the most effective among the
various weed management methods that have been used to control
weeds in different crops and ecological conditions. However, the
sustainability of chemical weed control is at stake due to evolution of
herbicide resistance in weeds, environmental concerns, and damages to
human health.
Allelopathy, a biochemical interaction among living organisms, can provide
an effective environment-friendly alternative to chemical weed control [1, 2].
Various natural herbicidal compounds have been identified from different
microbes and crop species [1, 3, 4]. These natural phytotoxins could be
applied directly as natural herbicides or could be used to develop novel
herbicide mode of actions [5]. Allelopathy can be used to manage weeds in
field crops through intercropping, cover cropping, crop rotation, mulching
and residue incorporation, and allelopathic extract and by utilizing hormetic
potential of allelochemicals [2, 6].
In this chapter, we have discussed the potential allelopathic crop and weed species
and the possible ways to utilize allelopathic potential for weed management in field
crops. Moreover, challenges to allelopathic weed control and future directions are
also discussed.
506
N. Farooq et al.
5.4 Understanding About Mode of Action of Allelochemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514
6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Abstract
A large number of plant and weed species produce secondary metabolites
known as allelochemicals, and the process is known as allelopathy.
Allelochemicals can be used to control weeds in agricultural systems by
using allelopathic crops for intercropping, crop rotation, or mulching. A few
important examples of crop species with high allelopathic potential may
include (but not limited to) wheat, rice, sorghum, rye, barley, and sunflower.
The naturally produced allelochemicals in these crops could be manipulated
to suppress weeds and witness an environment-friendly and sustainable
agricultural production system.
Keywords
Allelopathy · Weed control · Allelopathic crops · Crop rotation · Intercropping ·
Cover crops
1
Introduction/Importance of Allelopathic Weed Control
Sustainable weed control is critical to ensure food security for future
generations. Chemical weed control has been the most effective among the
various weed management methods that have been used to control
weeds in different crops and ecological conditions. However, the
sustainability of chemical weed control is at stake due to evolution of
herbicide resistance in weeds, environmental concerns, and damages to
human health.
Allelopathy, a biochemical interaction among living organisms, can provide
an effective environment-friendly alternative to chemical weed control [1, 2].
Various natural herbicidal compounds have been identified from different
microbes and crop species [1, 3, 4]. These natural phytotoxins could be
applied directly as natural herbicides or could be used to develop novel
herbicide mode of actions [5]. Allelopathy can be used to manage weeds in
field crops through intercropping, cover cropping, crop rotation, mulching
and residue incorporation, and allelopathic extract and by utilizing hormetic
potential of allelochemicals [2, 6].
In this chapter, we have discussed the potential allelopathic crop and weed species
and the possible ways to utilize allelopathic potential for weed management in field
crops. Moreover, challenges to allelopathic weed control and future directions are
also discussed.
506
N. Farooq et al.