Plant Allelochemicals: Characterization and Function Studies

Dear Colleagues,

Allelopathy plays an important role in species adaptation and community organization both in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Allelopathy is achieved through the action of secondary metabolites produced by plants, animals or microorganisms. Allelopathic organisms affect the growth and development of another organism by releasing allelopathic chemicals which affect parts or even the entire growth process. Allelopathic substances can have positive or negative effects on the physiological changes, growth, behavior, etc., of other organisms. For example, weeds or crops can produce allelochemicals and negatively affect the growth of other weeds or crops. Conversely, crops can produce allelochemicals that stimulate weed growth, as is the case with host crops for parasitic weeds that chemically induce parasitic germination and haustorium. Weed control can be achieved by cultivating crops bred to have the allelopathic potential to exert inhibitory effects on weed germination and growth. Additionally, control strategies could include the use of non-host crops bred to enhance the secretion of stimulant chemicals that induce suicidal growth of parasitic weeds leading to their death before infection. Many allelochemicals have the characteristics of low molecular weight and volatility, and most of them can be identified via gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Describing new bioactive metabolites is relevant to the need to develop new environmentally friendly herbicides that target alternative sites of action.

This Special Issue of Plants welcomes articles on the characterization of plant allelopathy and the isolation and identification of allelochemicals (research articles, review articles, exchanges and methods). Studying the interactions between plant allelochemicals, weed management and soil systems is also welcomed.

Dr. Mónica Fernández-Aparicio
Guest Editor

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• allelopathy
• breeding for allelopathy
• isolation and identification of allelochemicals
• weeds
• parasitic plants
• root exudation
• intercropping
• allelopathic cover crops
• growth inhibition
• suicidal germination
• sustainable crop protection