A ALELOPATIA EM ECOSSISTEMAS AGRÍCOLAS

Abstract

Define allelopathy as the influence of one plant on another, favoring or hindering its development due to the release into the environment of biomolecules, in general from secondary metabolism, called allelochemicals. An allelopathic interaction is considered an important ecological mechanism that influences plant dominance and succession, community formation, vegetation, climax and management in natural ecosystems. In agricultural ecosystems, the study of plants that show allelopathic action can be the starting point for the discovery of new molecules that form the composition of new herbicides. Knowledge of the chemical nature of allelopathic compounds is essential for a perfect understanding of the allelopathy phenomenon. Allelopathic compounds in general affect different stages of plant development (eg seed germination, seedling growth), in addition to interfering with important metabolic processes such as respiration, protein synthesis and photosynthesis. The interest in exploring and identifying compounds of secondary metabolism lies in being a strategic alternative in agriculture, especially for the control of weeds, offering producers better conditions for plant management.