Allelopathy – a fancy name or a potential weed management tool?
J.E. Pratley, EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Australia.
Abstract
Australian agriculture is very dependent on herbicides for weed control and the maintenance of soil structure through no-till farming. These chemicals have been highly effective but their efficacy has been under threat for some time through the evolution of herbicide resistance. If herbicide technology fails, Australian agriculture will be poorly placed.
Options need to be considered now so that there are alternatives, or at least to support the maintenance of current practices. Allelopathy is one of the possible options and its potential role is canvassed here. However it will require a different paradigm to the one currently underpinning chemical farming.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2012) 27 (4) 131-137.