Malays. Appl. Biol. (2017) 46(2): 1–10
SUSTAINABLE WEED MANAGEMENT USING
ALLELOPATHIC APPROACH
NORNASUHA, Y.1 and ISMAIL, B.S.2*
1School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresource and Food Industry,
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampus Besut, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
2School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
*Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Accepted 23 May 2017, Published online 27 June 2017
ABSTRACT
Allelopathy is a natural phenomenon whereby, the donor plants release chemical compounds (known as allelochemicals) into the environment through decomposition, leaching (caused by rain water), volatilization and root exudates. Allelochemicals from the donor plants can stimulate and/or inhibit the germination and growth of the receiver plants. Allelopathic effects can
be categorized based on the following: the effect of the weed on the crop, the effect of the weed on other weeds, the effect of the crop on the weed and the effect of trees on the weed or crop. Thus, allelopathic research can involve several methods such as bioassay, application of plant debris, application of infested soil, the sandwich method, the dish pack method and the plant box method. The allelopathic approach can be applied for controlling weeds through the use of allelochemicals (as natural herbicides) and the allelopathic plants as cover crops/mulch. However, the allelopathic effects of plants depend on biotic and abiotic factors and therefore, more research needs to be carried out to overcome these factors. The allelopathic approach would cause reduction in the dependency on chemical pesticides which are proven contaminants of the environment.
Key words: Allelopathy, donor plants, receiver plants
