Allelopathy Potential of Important Crops

Allelopathy, in simple terms, is a biochemical phenomenon by which a plant influences the growth, germination, and survival of another plant in its vicinity by producing certain chemical inhibitors into the environment known as allelochemicals. Though the use of allelopathic water extracts is economical and environment-friendly yet the reduction in weed biomass is less than herbicides and manual weeding. However, it may be possible to use these allelopathic water extracts with reduced rates of herbicides to increase their efficacy. A number of crops are known to possess allelopathic potential, some of which are enumerated below.