Allelopathy interaction

Inderjit and Dakshini, K. M. M. 1999. Bioassays for allelopathy interactions of soil organic and inorganic constituents. In Inderjit, Dakshini, K. M. M., and Foy, C. L. (Eds.), Principles and Practices in Plant Ecology — Allelochemical Interactions. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 35-42... 

A. C. Thompson, ed.. The Chemisty ofi Allelopathy Biochemical Interactions Among Plants, ACS Symposium Series 268, American Chemical Society,... 

Allelopathy is included among a higher-level order of chemical ecology involving interactions among many different organisms. Whittaker and Feeny (3) have defined interspecies... 

Although allelopathic interactions have been observed for centuries, the science of allelopathy is in its infancy. Much needs to be accomplished, and it will require joint efforts of scientists from several disciplines. Although by no means a complete list, the following areas need intensive study. 

The term "Allelopathy" was coined by Molisch (2 ) to refer to both detrimental and beneficial biochemical interactions anong all classes of plants, including microorganisms. Because the root word "pathy," however, implies detrimental interactions, Rice (3) defines "allelopathy" as follows "Any direct or indirect harmful effects of one plant (including microorganisns) on another through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the envirorment." Perhaps, the term "allelopathy" should be extended to include the manifold mutual effects of metabolic products of both plants and animals. Now Rice includes beneficial interactions (18). 

Report of the Research Planning Conference on the Role of Secondary Canpounds in Plant Interactions (Allelopathy)."... 

The term allelopathy, when first proposed by Molisch (1 ), referred to either the beneficial or detrimental interaction between all types of plants and microorganisms. As presently used, this definition is generally accepted. Since 1970 a concerted effort has been made to understand the phenomenon of allelopathic interaction. The many interpretations resulting from these studies are well documented in the literature (2-4). An area currently receiving considerable attention is the allelopathic effect resulting from weed-crop and weed-weed interactions (2, 5-7). One study conducted by Wilson and Rice (7) showed that the common sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., possessed allelopathic properties. Realizing the inherent potential... 

What makes B. megapotamica unusual is that the chemicals responsible 7or the toxic properties of the plant are produced not by the plant itself but by a fungus associated with the plants. It is this plant-fungus interaction at the chemical level which suggests that B. megapotamica is involved in a most extraordinary form of allelopathy (41). 

Although many physiological and biochemical processes In plants are affected by various allelochemicals, In most Instances the details of the mechanism of action of a particular allelochemical have not been elucidated. Because soil mediates the transfer of most allelochemicals (except perhaps volatile compounds) from a donor to a receiver, plant roots are often the first tissues to contact an allelochemical. Thus, It Is not surprising that root growth and development are Inhibited In many Instances of allelopathy (1.-3) One of the primary physiological functions of plant roots Is the absorption of mineral nutrients. Therefore, It Is logical that the Influence of allelopathic Interactions on mineral absorption by plant roots has been Investigated. 

Several general characteristics of the results compiled in Table I are worthy of mention. Compared to the variety of chemicals postulated to be involved in allelopathy (1), few specific compounds have been tested for inhibition of mineral absorption. The most extensively studied compounds are the phenolic acids, probably because of their being ubiquitously found in nature (1). Also, several flavonoids are inhibitory to mineral absorption (Table I). Both of these groups of compounds are often cited as being responsible for allelopathic interactions between plants. 

The bulk of the allelopathy literature has dealt with direct toxic effects on other plants. However, as developed in this review, it is obvious that allelochemicals may have a major impact on plant root-microbial interactions. Such interactions could lead to growth inhibition in the microorganisms (or in roots) and affect other factors of the root-microbe association resulting in effects... 

Other roles for noxious metabolites produced by certain phytoplankton species include mediation of allelopathic interactions [47]. Allelopathy covers biochemical interactions among different primary producers or between primary producers and microorganisms. These can provide an advantage for the producer in the competition among different photoautotrophs for resources. Although not directly involved in chemical defense, allelopathic metabolites can affect the dominance and succession of species in phytoplankton therefore they are crucial for understanding plankton composition. In contrast to the fresh water environment, the location of many studies on the role of allelopathic interactions, which have identified active compounds [47], only few studies have addressed this topic in the marine environment. 

In allelopathy studies, the allelochemicals first influence the physiological and biochemical processes in cells. Till now there is no book of methods to study allelopathic interactions in the cells. The activity of cells influence various important physiological processes like seed germination, plant growth and development, photosynthesis and respiration, senescence and abscission are included in this volume. To understand the basic mechanisms of various physiological processes, being affected by allelochemicals at the cellular level enzyme activity and metabolite studies are essential. 

Roshchina, V.V. and Melnikova, E.V. (1998). Allelopathy and plant generative cells. Participation of acetylcholine and histamine in a signalling at the interactions of pollen and pistil. Allelopathy Journal 5 171-182. 

Roshchina, V.V. and Mel nikova, E.V. (1999). Microspectrofluorimetry of intact secreting cells applied to allelopathy. In Principles and Practices in Plant Ecology Allelochemicals Interactions, (Eds., Inderjit, K.M.M.Dakshini, and C.L.Foy). Pp.99-126. CRC Press, Boca Raton. 

Bais, Fl.P., Vepachedu, R., Gilroy, S., Callaway, R.M. and Vivanco, J.M. (2003). Allelopathy and exotic plant invasion From molecules and genes to species interactions. Science 301 1377-1380. 

Computational Methods to Study Properties of Allelochemicals and Modelling of Molecular Interactions in Allelopathy... 

Roshchina, V. V. and Melnikova, E. V. (1996). Microspectrofluorometry A new technique to study pollen allelopathy. Allelopathy Journal 3 51-58 Roshchina, V. V. and Melnikova, E. V. (1998). Allelopathy and plant generative cells Participation of acetylcholine and histamine in signaling interactions of pollen and pistil. Allelopathy Journal 5 171-182 Roshchina, V.V. and Melnikova, E. V. (1999). Microspectrofluorometry of intact secreting cells applied to allelopathy. ln Principles and Practices in Plant Ecology., Inderjit, K. M. M. Dakshini, and C. L. Foy (eds) pp. 99-126. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. 

Allelopathy is defined as biochemical interactions between one plant or microorganism (alga, bacteria, or virus) and another plant through the production of chemical compounds - secondary metabolites (allelochemicals), which influence, direct or indirect, harmful or beneficial, plant growth and development (Rice 1984). Allelochemicals are present in almost all plants and in many tissues, like leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, or pollen and may be released from plants into the environment by volatilization, leaching, root exudation, and decomposition of plant residues (Chou 1990). 

Xiong J, Jia XL, Deng J, Jiang B, He F, Lin W (2007) Analysis of epistatic effect and QTL interactions with environment for allelopathy in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Allelopathy J 20 259-267 Xuan TD, Tsuzuki E (2001) Effects of application of alfalfa pellet on germination and growth of weeds. J Crop Prod 4 303-312... 

The secretion of secondary metabolites to the apoplast is another way to circumvent the toxic effects of some plant natural products. Plants use this mechanism especially in root cells. Then, they can interact with neighboring plants (allelopathy) or modify soil environment to promote... 

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