Allelopathy studies the various aspects of allelopathy, the direct or indirect harmful effect by one plant (including microorganisms) on another through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment.
Chapters presents discussions on topics on the history of research on allelopathy; roles of allelopathy in phytoplankton succession; evidence for chemical inhibition of nitrification by vegetation; roles of allelopathy in fire cycle in California annual grasslands; and the impact of allelopathy on horticulture and forestry.
Botanists, horticulturists, biologists, and agriculturists will find the book a good reference book.

ContentsPreface 1 Introduction I. Meaning and Origin of Term Allelopathy II. Suggested Terminology for Chemical Interactions between Plants of Different Levels of Complexity 2 Historical Account of Research on Allelopathy I. Higher Plants versus Higher Plants II. Higher Plants versus Microorganisms III. Microorganisms versus Higher Plants IV. Microorganisms versus Microorganisms 3 Roles of Allelopathy in Phytoplankton Succession I. Introduction II. Evidence for Importance of Allelopathy in Succession of Phytoplankton 4 Roles of Allelopathy in Old-Field Succession I. Introduction and Old-Field Succession in Central Oklahoma and Southeast Kansas II. Allelopathy and the Rapid Disappearance of the Pioneer Weed Stage III. Allelopathy and the Slowing of Succession Starting with Stage 2 IV. General Conclusions 5 Inhibition of Nitrification by Vegetation; Increases during Succession and Pronounced Inhibition by Climax Ecosystems I. General Evidence for Chemical Inhibition of Nitrification by Vegetation II. Theoretical Basis for Selective Pressure against Nitrification III. Specific Evidence for Increases in Inhibition of Nitrification during Succession and in Climax Ecosystems IV. Conclusions 6 Roles of Allelopathy in Fire Cycle in California Annual Grasslands I. General Discussion of Fire Cycle II. Evidence for Role of Allelopathy III. Conclusions 7 Roles of Allelopathy in Patterning of Vegetation and Creation of Bare Areas I. Concepts of Patterning II. Patterning due to Allelopathic Effects of Herbaceous Species III. Patterning due to Allelopathic Effects of Woody Species 8 Allelopathy and the Prevention of Seed Decay before Germination I. Direct Production of Microbial Inhibitors by Seed Plants II. Production of Microbial Inhibitors in Seed Coats by Soil Microorganisms III. Conclusions9 Impact of Allelopathy on Agriculture I. Production by Crop Plants of Substances Inhibitory to Other Crop Plants II. Allelopathic Effects of Crop Residues on Crop Plants III. Allelopathic Effects of Weeds on Crop Plants and Vice Versa IV. Allelopathy versus Nitrogen Fixation V. Allelopathy and Seed Germination of Crop Plants VI. The Roles of Allelopathy in Plant Infection VII. Related Phenomena That Are Not Strictly Allelopathic10 Impact of Allelopathy on Horticulture and Forestry I. Roles in Horticulture II. Roles of Allelopathy in Forestry11 Plant Parts that Contain Inhibitors and Ways in which Inhibitors Enter the Environment I. Parts Known to Contain Inhibitors II. Ways in Which Inhibitors Get Out of Plants12 Chemical Nature of Inhibitors I. Introduction II. Types of Chemical Compounds Identified as Inhibitors III. Unidentified Inhibitors13 Mechanisms of Action of Inhibitors I. Introduction II. Mechanisms of Action 14 Factors Affecting Quantities of Inhibitors Produced by Plants I. Introduction II. Effects of Radiation III. Mineral Deficiencies IV. Water Stress V. Temperature VI. Allelopathic Agents VII. Age of Plant Organs VIII. Genetics 15 Interrelations of Allelopathy with Other Types of Chemical Interactions I. Introduction II. Chemical Interactions between Plants and Insects III. Chemical Interaction between Plants and AnimalsOther than Insects Bibliography Index