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Screening methods for the evaluation of crop allelopathic potential

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Abstract

There is increasing interest in the development of allelopathic crop varieties for weed suppression. Allelopathic varieties are likely to be able to suppress weeds by natural exudation of bioactive allelochemicals, thereby reducing dependence upon synthetic herbicides. Screening bioassays are essential tools in identifying crop accessions with allelopathic potential. A number of crops have been screened for this allelopathic trait, and key issues in selecting and designing screening bioassays are reviewed. It is recommended that a combination of different bioassays be used in the evaluation of crop allelopathic potential. Laboratory bioassays, field testing, and chemical screening are important steps, and none of them can be precluded if conclusive evidence of crop allelopathy is to be established. More concerted efforts are needed in screening crop germplasm before the development of allelopathic varieties occurs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Farrer Centre for Conservation Farming, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, 2678, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

    H. Wu, J. Pratley & T. Haig

  2. Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, NSW Agriculture, 2650, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

    D. Lemerle

  3. Environmental and Analytical Laboratories, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, 2678, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

    M. An

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  1. H. Wu
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Wu, H., Pratley, J., Lemerle, D. et al. Screening methods for the evaluation of crop allelopathic potential. Bot. Rev 67, 403–415 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858100

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