Allelopathic agents from aquatic ecosystems: potential biopesticides models

Abstract

Allelopathy is usually regarded as a terrestrial science and little attention has been paid to the allelochemicals involved in the interactions between aquatic autotrophs. Also, chemicals involved in the interaction between algae (macro or microscopic) and their environment are not often acknowledged as allelopathic. Allelopathy is a key factor for explaining microalgae assemblages, community structure and the dynamics of the populations within the ecosystem. Herein we present an overview of what is known in this field, describing the chemicals yet identified and which kind of interactions are they involved in.

Control of plant parasitic nematodes with active saponins and biomass from Medicago sativa

“…The allelopathic effect of M. sativa and its saponins has been reported in several papers (Macias et al 2008). Mishustin and Naumova (1955) observed that growth of cotton was influenced by the use of alfalfa as rotation crop.…”

Cyanobacteria and Herbivorous Organisms: The Properties of Interspecific Interactions

“…(4) Âòîðè÷íыå ìåòàбîëèòы, пðåäíàзíà÷åííыå äëÿ зàщèòы îò ðàñòèòåëüíîÿäíых îðгàíèзìîâ è èх ëè÷èíîê. К пðîÿâëåíèю èх àêòèâíîñòè îòíîñèòñÿ èíгèбèðîâàíèå пèòàíèÿ, пëîäî-âèòîñòè, пîäâèжíîñòè è ñíèжåíèå óðîâíÿ âыжèâàåìîñòè âîäíых ÷ëåíèñòîíîгèх [11,12]. Тàêèå жå эффåêòы ìы íàбëюäàëè â îпыòàх íà ìîäåëüíых òåñò-îбъåêòàх, ÷òî пîзâîëÿåò ñäåëàòü зàêëю÷åíèå î зàщèòíîì хàðàêòåðå äåéñòâèÿ íåòîêñè÷íых ìåòàбîëèòîâ öèàíîбàêòåðèé (â ÷àñòíîñòè, эòèìè ñâîéñòâàìè îбëàäàюò ëèпèäíыå è òåðпåíîâыå ñîåäèíåíèÿ [4,9]).…”

Inhibitory effects of the extracts with different solvents from three compositae plants on cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosas

“…To date, almost all aquatic autotrophs, including macrophytes, macro algae, microalgae, and even cyanobacteria, have the inhibitory effects on various algae. From these autotrophs, various allelochemicals have been isolated and identified [4]. But only a little research has been carried on the algicidal activity of the terrestrial plants.…”

“…Beyond these, only fragmentary studies are available, including garlic [8], Chinese traditional medicines [9], lantana [10], ragweed [11], and tarbush [12]. Based on the facts of terrestrial plants inhibitory effects on the algae and the structural similarity of the allelochemicals produced by terrestrial and aquatic plants [4], the terrestrial plants' bioactive substance could be regarded as a new developing direction for the study of the algal control.…”