Allelopathy
Allelopathy (IPA: /ˌælɪˈlɒpəθi/) is a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms. These biochemicals are known as Allelochemicals.
Etymology
The term "allelopathy" is derived from the Greek words "allelon" meaning "of each other" and "pathos" meaning "to suffer". It was first used in the early 1930s by the Austrian scientist Hans Molisch in his book "Der Einfluss einer Pflanze auf die andere - Allelopathie" (The effect of plants on each other - Allelopathy).
Types of Allelopathy
Allelopathy can be categorized into two main types:
- Direct Allelopathy: This occurs when organisms release allelochemicals directly into their environment.
- Indirect Allelopathy: This occurs when the allelochemicals are released into the environment after being transformed or when they are not immediately released.
Allelochemicals
Allelochemicals can have beneficial (positive allelopathy) or detrimental (negative allelopathy) effects on the target organisms and the community structure. These chemicals can be released from a plant through leaching, root exudation, volatilization, residue decomposition, and other processes.
Examples
Some common examples of allelopathic plants include the Black Walnut tree (Juglans nigra), which releases a chemical called juglone that is toxic to many other plants, and the spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), which releases a chemical that hinders the growth of other plants in its vicinity.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Allelopathy
- Wikipedia's article - Allelopathy
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