Weed Allelochemicals and Possibility for Pest Management

Abstract

Purpose: Weed interference is a constraint in agricultural practice. The crop-weed interaction has been extensively described in literature, but the weed-weed interaction and their potential usage in crop production have not much been understood. In this paper, the interactions of allelochemicals of the weeds which cause troublesome in crop production and ecosystem against weeds, crops, and pathogens are described. Principal results: Weed allelochemicals are classified into many chemical classes, and the majority is consisting of phenolics acids, alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, long chain fatty acids, lactones, and other volatile compounds. Type of weed allelochemicals and their doses are varied among weed species. Some allelochemicals such as catechin (+/-) have been reported to be responsible for weed invasiveness. Some crops exude germination stimulants to parasitic weeds such as Striga spp. and Orobanche spp. In contrast to their negative impacts on crop production, many weeds can be exploited as promising sources to control harmful insects, fungi, bacteria, and weeds. For instance, Ageratum conyzoides is a destructive weed in crop production, but it exerted excellent insecticidal, antifungal, and herbicidal capacity and promoted citrus productivity in A. conyzoides intercropped citrus orchards. Major conclusions: In general, weeds compete with crops by chemical pathway by releasing plant growth inhibitors to reduce crop growth. Weed allelochemicals may be successfully exploited for pest and weed controls in an integrated sustainable crop production. Some weed allelochemicals are potent for development of natural pesticides.