Allelopathy is a phenomenon in which plants release compounds called allelochemicals into the environment. These chemicals have an effect on the growth, development, and reproduction of other plant species. Plants with this ability have an advantage when competing for environmental resources, which also improves their survival and spreading in their habitat. This thesis first presents the basic allelopathic interactions, followed by the main advantages and uses of allelopathic plants in agriculture. These plants can effectively control weeds, pests, and diseases. They can also be used as a natural alternative for synthetic herbicides, reducing environmental pollution. Despite being an excellent solution for sustainable agriculture, there are a few challenges in the functioning of allelochemicals. Their activity and the type allelochemical released, depend on the chemical structure and environmental factors. The interaction of plants with microbes is also important, since they can modify the structure of allelochemicals in the soil, by adding side groups, or with polymerization. In spite of numerous studies on allelopathy, a major problem is still insufficient knowledge. In particular, there is a lack of research to explain the mechanisms of action of the wide range of allelochemicals produced by plants.
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