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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » Natural Products Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176450
Title: Dose/Response Relationships in Allelopathy Research

Author
item BELZ, REGINA - UNIV.-HOHENHEIM, GERMANY
item VELINI, EDIVALDO - UNIV.SAO PAULO ST.,BRAZIL
item Duke, Stephen

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2005
Publication Date: 1/24/2007
Citation: Belz, R.G., Velini, E., Duke, S.O. 2007. Dose/Response Relationships in Allelopathy Research. Book Chapter. Allelopathy: New Concepts and Methodology. Y. Fujii and S. Hiradate, eds., Science Publishers, Enfield, NH. pp. 3-29.

Interpretive Summary: This is a book chapter. No int. sum. submitted.

Technical Abstract: Understanding the relationships between the dose of a phytotoxin and its effects is crucial in many types of allelopathy studies. However, realistic considerations of dose/response relationships and time of exposure are too infrequently considered in allelopathy studies. Examples are given of the proper methods for conducting dose/response studies. Synergism has been invoked in many allelopathy papers, without sufficient proof. The proper use of dose/response studies in determination of interactions (both antagonistic and synergistic) between different compounds is discussed. Dose/response studies are crucial to understanding modes of action of phytotoxins. For example, the dose/response relationships and their timing with different effects can strongly suggest that certain responses are closer to the molecular target site than others. Differences in slopes of dose/response curves suggest differences in modes of action, whereas similar slopes suggest similar modes of action. Very accurate dose/response curves are usually needed to prove hormesis (stimulatory effects of phytotoxins as subtoxic doses). Little is known about hormesis of allelochemicals, a phenomenon that might be very important in allelopathy. Finally, the effects of different target plant densities on dose/reponse relationship, as well as dose/response relationships generated by different allelochemical-producing donor plant densities are discussed. These methods can be crucial to proving allelopathy and to understanding the mechanisms of allelopathy.