Title: Allelopathy, an alternative tool to improve cropping systems. A review
Absract: Known since ancient times, the phenomenon of allelopathy has recently received greater attention from researchers and farmers worldwide. Crop failures and low yields caused by the reseeding, overseeding, crop rotation and replanting of fruit trees in orchards are believed to be caused by allelopathic activity. Moreover, the expensive and environmentally impacting herbicides for weed control have motivated studies directed at developing cheaper, environmentally-friendly alternatives. Despite the difficulties in separating chemical interference from other mechanisms, more modern approaches have produced consistent and conclusive data on this topic. The release and dynamics of allelochemicals in the soil are discussed herein. Examples of allelopathic crops, the allelochemicals produced and their uses in cropping systems are also presented along with current research trends regarding allelopathy. [Manoel Bandeira de Albuquerque, Roseane Cavalcanti dos Santos, Liziane Maria Lima, Péricles de Albuquerque Melo Filho, Rejane Jurema Mansur Custódio Nogueira, Claudio Augusto Gomes da Câmara & Alessandra de Rezende Ramos (2010). Allelopathy, an alternative tool to improve cropping systems. A review. Agronomy for Sustrainable Development, on-line 22 Sept. DOI:10.1051/agro/2010031]
Keywords: allelopathy / chemical interference / agriculture / potential use