Implications of potential allelopathic crops in agricultural systems

Allelopathic phenomenon is being successfully employed in field crop production for agricultural pest management. Allelopathic crops exude diverse and numerous types of allelochemicals with potential to suppress weeds and other crops pests. Crops including rice, sunflower, sorghum, wheat, rye, maize, barley, alfalfa, Brassica spp., and cucurbits exhibit strong allelopathic potential. The allelopathic potential of crops possesses pertinent implications in the agricultural systems. Allelopathy helps plants in strengthening their defense system against biotic and abiotic stresses, and also aids in regulating the nutrients transformations. Allelopathic potential of the crops can be wisely manipulated by adjusting these crops in the crop sequences as rotational crops, cover crops, or intercrops to reduce the pest pressure and judicious nutrient management. This chapter provides an overview of potential allelopathic crops and their potential applications in agricultural systems.