What is Allelopathy?

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Allelopathy is not a new concept. It is a term frequently used by plant scientists, especially plant physiologists. This term was first used by the Austrian Professor Hans Molisch in his book ' The Effect of Plants on Each Other'published in 1937 .

So what is this allelopathy? In the most general definition of allelopathy; Plants are chemical interactions between plants and the organisms around them. Plants and microorganisms secrete some organic substances into their environment. These substances adversely affect the plants they are in the same environment. These substances are called 'allelochemicals'.

Each of the allelochemicals has no effect on the growth and development of the host plant, but is produced as secondary metabolites that affect the growth of other plants. The growth of competing plants is inhibited and seed germination can be prevented. Various allelochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins, suppress or alter hormone production or activity in competing plants. Most of the negative effects of weeds on plants have been attributed to competition, whereas this is not the case at all, experiments using weed extracts have shown that many weeds produce allelochemicals.

alleopathy; It causes a decrease in the growth, development and respiration of the plant, and the rate of photosynthesis, resulting in leaf fall, drying and death. If we give a few examples of plants with alleopathic properties ;

• Sumac (Rhus)
• Rhododendron
• Elderberry (Sambucus)
• goldenrod
• Broccoli
• asters
• perennial rye
• Kentucky bluegrass
• bearberry
• bracken fern

The best examples of allelopathy in plants are trees. Many trees use allelopathy to conserve their space by using their roots to draw more water from the soil so other plants cannot thrive. Others use allelochemicals to inhibit germination or inhibit the growth of nearby plant life.

The walnut tree is the best known example. It stores allelopathic properties in its leaves, as well as in its buds, stems, and roots. It is known that the active substance in this tree is Juglone. It is known that clover, tomato, pepper, potato plants around this walnut tree, as well as pine and apple trees, died by being affected by the toxicity of black walnut. On the other hand, many plants are tolerant to Juglone and do not cause any ill effects.

 Other trees known to have an alleopathic effect are; eucalyptus, maple and pine.

As can be seen, plants with allelopathic effects can inhibit the growth of rival plants in their environment. They may not just stop there. Because allelopathy also has agricultural and ecological advantages. By using allelopathic plants, pesticides can be used, alleopathic weeds that adversely affect grains and unwanted plant species in agricultural areas can be eliminated.