Allelopathy : Basic and Applied Aspects

Science is essentially a descriptive and experimental device. It observes nature, constructs hypotheses, plans experiments and proposes theories. The theory is never contemplated as the 'final truth', but remains ever subject to modifications, changes and rejections. The science of allelopathy in a similar way has emerged, and exists on a similar footing; our endeavour should be to keep it fresh and innovative with addition of newer in­ formation and concepts with the rejection of older ideas and antiquated techniques. During the past few decades encouraging results have been obtained in various aspects of allelopathic researches. However, in addition to continuing efforts in all these directions, constant attempts are to be made to describe the mechanics of allelopathic activity in molecular terms and to discover ways and means to exploit it for the welfare of mankind. We feel that multidisciplinary efforts are the only tool to achieve this goal. It is the hope of the editors that this book will serve as a document which identifies an integrated approach, through which research both to understand and exploit allelopathy can be conducted. The present volume arose out of an attempt to bring together eminent scientists in allelopathy to describe their work, of a highly diverse nature, under one title. Front Matter....Pages i-xx A discipline called allelopathy....Pages 1-10 Allelopathy: broadening the context....Pages 11-19 A conceptual framework for assessing allelochemicals in the soil environment....Pages 21-29 Allelopathic effects on nitrogen cycling....Pages 31-58 Allelopathic mechanism in fire-prone communities....Pages 59-75 Allelopathic effects of cruciferous plants in crop rotation....Pages 77-85 Improving yield of corn—soybean rotation: role of allelopathy....Pages 87-100 Biochemical selection of sorghum crop varieties resistant to sorghum shoot fly ( Atherigona soccata ) and stem borer ( Chilo partellus ): role of allelochemicals....Pages 101-117 Allelochemicals in wheat and barley: role in plant—insect interactions....Pages 119-127 Allelochemical properties of alkaloids. Effects on plants, bacteria and protein biosynthesis....Pages 129-150 Alfalfa saponins — the allelopathic agents....Pages 151-167 Allelopathy in alfalfa and other forage crops in the United States....Pages 169-177 Allelopathy in relation to agricultural productivity in Taiwan: problems and prospects....Pages 179-203 Effect of pine allelochemicals on selected species in Korea....Pages 205-241 Allelopathy in Brazil....Pages 243-250 Allelopathic research activity in Iraq....Pages 251-269 Impact of allelopathy in the traditional management of agroecosystems in Mexico....Pages 271-301 The allelopathic potential of aromatic shrubs in phryganic (east Mediterranean) ecosystems....Pages 303-320 Possible role of allelopathy in growth inhibition of softwood seedlings in Newfoundland....Pages 321-340 Allelopathy in Quebec forestry — case studies in natural and managed ecosystems....Pages 341-356 Pigeon pea and velvet bean allelopathy....Pages 357-370 Allelopathy in forest and agroecosystems in the Himalayan region....Pages 371-388 Neem allelochemicals and insect control....Pages 389-412 Allelopathy in the management of root-knot nematodes....Pages 413-441 Exploitation of allelochemicals in improving crop productivity....Pages 443-472 Back Matter....Pages 473-480 The study of deleterious or beneficial biochemical interactions between plants (allelopathy) and the chemicals responsible for these interactions (allelochemicals) has wide implications in many areas of biological science. The Editors have drawn together an eminent international group of contributors who provide thorough coverage of all aspects of this important subject