Research on allelopathy in Portugal

Abstract

The review shows that allelopathy is widespread in shrubs and trees of Portugal and hence, may play an important role in their ecology. The role of soil in the nature and intensity of allelopathy was demonstrated, and the potential of wheat straw and some aromatic plants to provide allelochemicals for herbicidal use has been found. Therefore, future lines of research should include I) the investigation of herbicidal potential of allelochemicals already identified in wheat straw, II) screening of more plant species as potential sources of allelochemicals and III) use of more more weed species as test species. If feasible, soil should be used in allelopathic studies.