Plant Allelochemicals and Their Relevance for Sustainable Agriculture

Allelochemicals are released by plants and microbes under the influence of various biotic and abiotic stresses. They influence seed germination, cell division, overall growth and development of plant as well as also affect survival of other plants. It is studied that allelochemicals play stimulatory as well as inhibitory roles on other plant processes. Allelochemicals are bioactive secondary metabolites, containing a broad range from a starting from simple hydrocarbon to complex polycyclic aromatic compounds like flavonoids, phenol, tannins, steroids, amino acids, quinones and alkaloids. Plants which release Allelochemicals interfere with the growth and development of other plants by plant – plant allelopathic interaction. They play pivotal roles for sustainable agriculture like as herbicides, pesticides, promotes crop growth, etc. allelopathy is providing better solutions to control weeds, pest and diseases of plants in spite of using synthetic chemicals. Use of Allelochemicals as potential solution for various plant issues is very promising aspect for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem.