Allelochemicals Biologica... - Name

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ANA LUISA ANAYA
allelopathy is a challenging and exigent matter of study. At present we have proof
that secondary metabolites are involved with biotic interactions, and that allelopathic
effects may restrict or enhance, alone or in relation with other environmental factors
(light, temperature, humidity and nutrients), the distribution, health and growth of
species in natural, artificial or managed communities. In the search for application of
allelopathy knowledge is crucial to understand other biotic interactions (competition,
defense against herbivory) and also the actual and full significance of a mixture of
secondary metabolites all together acting in the environment (Anaya, 1999).
Allelopathy typically operates through the release, modification, and joint action
of a number of allelochemicals in a particular situation, and transitions through the
soil add to the complications for explaining the phenomenon. The frontiers in research
on allelopathy include isolation of additional compounds that may be involved, and
determining more precisely how allelochemicals production is regulated and how the
compounds function to inhibit growth. Such information may allow modification of
crop plants so they have enhanced capability for weed suppression. Alternatively,
new herbicides, pesticides, and growth regulators may be developed from some of
plant and microorganisms compounds (Einhellig, 1989).
In the study of biological interactions mediated by secondary metabolites it is
very important to perform multidisciplinary investigations in a long term approach in
order to understand these interactions from an holistic point of view and make use of
them for beneficial purposes in the management of natural resources in agroecosystems.
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