understanding allelopathy science

Understanding Allelopathy

Science

2016 NETWC Conference

Lake Placid, NY

Timothy Chick

Paul Smith’s College

Plant Competition

SUNLIGHT

WATER

NUTRIENTS

Root competition

Secondary Succession

Where’s the Plant Succession??

•

•

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://the-gist.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LittleShopofHorrors-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://the-gist.org/2012/09/allelopathy-when-plants-attack/&h=1110&w=1061&sz=297&tbnid=8vXNXxg2ln-w4M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=86&zoom=1&usg=__nThnibuusDi2HoyLTGXBjcqlODw=&docid=PL8r11Q62iOYcM&sa=X&ei=r_ZaUsvREITC4APY9YHIDA&sqi=2&ved=0CEAQ9QEwAg

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://the-gist.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LittleShopofHorrors-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://the-gist.org/2012/09/allelopathy-when-plants-attack/&h=1110&w=1061&sz=297&tbnid=8vXNXxg2ln-w4M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=86&zoom=1&usg=__nThnibuusDi2HoyLTGXBjcqlODw=&docid=PL8r11Q62iOYcM&sa=X&ei=r_ZaUsvREITC4APY9YHIDA&sqi=2&ved=0CEAQ9QEwAg

What is Allelopathy?

“The chemical influence of

one plant by another”

Allelopathy affects:

• Germination

• Growth

• Health

• Survival

Black Walnut – the

“Spokesperson” for Allelopathy

Classic walnut-

tomato conflict

Interference

Definition-

The combination of competition and allelopathy

Important to use this term when it’s unclear if competition or allelopathy is operable.

Why is allelopathy important?

• More accurate understanding of plant

physiology and interactions

• A powerful tool for IVM biological control

• Better knowledge of tree resistant species

• Biological control is a wonderful PR tool

Allelochemicals

• Secondary metabolites

• 14 classes of chemicals – tannins, phenols,

polyacetylenes, flavonoids

• Species specific

• Additive or synergistic

– Multiple toxins

– Stresses

Physiological Sites of Action

• Germination

• Cell division

• Cell extension

• Membrane

permeability

• Protein synthesis

• Enzyme activity

• Respiration

• Water relations

• Photosynthesis

• Nutrient uptake

Environmental Routes of Entry

VOLATILIZATION

LEACHING

EXUDATION

DECOMPOSITION

*TRANSFORMATION

PRODUCTS

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=rYdaakgp7-JRJM&tbnid=WmBdLMPBWP2dcM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sustland.umn.edu%2Fimplement%2Ftrees_turf.html&ei=fv9aUtGnEc-w4AO57YHwCw&bvm=bv.53899372,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNEl247HhsLkMiJZEgF3O4We4E9dpQ&ust=1381781471313920

Persistence Varies (without replenishment)

• Sugar maple 5 days

• Some grasses 2 weeks

• Goldenrod 2+ years

• Black walnut 5+ years

Soil Type Effects

Allelochems Adsorb to Clay

Particles – Poor Drainage

Sandy Soils –Poor Adsorbtion

Drains Easily

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Third_beach_sand.jpg

Pool Size Elements

• Concentration inputs (amt. + no. species)

• Persistence

• Stresses – temp., water and nutrients

• Soil texture – clay and sand

• Drainage

** Addition and depletion varies over time

Little

bluestem Schizachyrium

scoparium

Tall fescue Shedonorus phoenix

http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=loar10_003_avp.tif

Bracken fern – Pteridium acquilinum

Goldenrod – Solidago spp.

Aster spp.

Put NE aster and

Closeup of flower

Meadow sweet - Spiraea latifolia

Quackgrass - Elynus repens

Blueberry – Vaccinium augustifolia

Sheep laurel Kalmia

augustifolia

Additive and Synergistic Effects

Take away message…

Allelopathy is an important

interference factor in IVM

biological control which can

delay the need for chemical

interventions by resisting tree

invasion

Reference

Allelopathy as a Biological Control for IVM,

Arborist News, Dec., 2010

Contact [email protected]

understanding allelopathy science

Documents