Microbial allelopathic interactions

Blum, U. Effects of microbial utilization of phenolic acids and their phenolic acid breakdown products on allelopathic interactions. J Chem Ecol 1998 24 685-708. 

Bertin C, Harmon R, Akaogi M, Weidenhamer ID, Weston LA (2009) Assessment of the phytotoxic potential of m-tyrosine in laboratory soil bioassays. J Chem Ecol 35 1288-1294 Blum U (1996) Allelopathic interactions involving phenolic acids. J Nematol 28 259-267 Blum U (1998) Effects of microbial utilization of phenolic acids and their phenolic add breakdown products on allelopathic interactions. J Chem Ecol 24 685-708... 

Blum U (2007) Can data derived from field and laboratory bioassays establish the existence of allelopathic interactions in nature In Fujii Y, Hiradate S (eds) Allelopathy new concepts and methodology. Science Publishers, Enfield, NH, pp 31-38 Blum U, Dalton BR (1985) Effects of ferulic acid, an allelopathic compound, on leaf expansion of cucumber seedlings grown in nutrient culture. J Chem Ecol 11 279-301 Blum U, Dalton BR, Shann JR (1985a) Effects of various mixtures of ferulic acid and some of its microbial metabolic products on cucumber leaf expansion and dry matter in nutrient culture. J Chem Ecol 11 619-641... 

There is some confusion in the literature as to when it is appropriate to apply the term allelochemical to phenolic acids. Since phenolic acids and their derivatives are found essentially in all terrestrial soils, it should be understood that the presence of phenolic acids in soil does not automatically imply that these phenolic acids are functionally allelochemicals. In theory, phenolic acids in soils, depending on their chemical state, concentrations, and the organisms involved, can have no effect, a stimulatory effect, or an inhibitory effect on any given plant or microbial process. For phenolic acids in the soil to be classified as allelochemicals requires that a) the phenolic acids are in an active form (e.g., free and protonated), b) they are involved in chemically mediated plant, microbe, or plant/microbial interactions and c) the concentrations of the active forms in the soil solution are sufficient to modify plant or microbial behavior, either in a positive or negative manner.8,49 However, changes in microbial behaviour associated with the utilization of phenolic acids as a carbon or energy source would not qualify as an allelopathic response. 

Selected bioassays for allelopathic microbial interactions on plants. 

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