Allelopathic Plants: Models for Studying Plant-Interkingdom Interactions

Abstract

Allelopathy is a biochemical interaction between plants in which a donor plant releases secondary metabolites, allelochemicals, that are detrimental to the growth of its neighbours. Traditionally considered as bilateral interactions between two plants, allelopathy has recently emerged as a cross-kingdom process that can influence and be modulated by the other organisms in the plant's environment. Here, we review the current knowledge on plant-interkingdom interactions, with a particular focus on benzoxazinoids. We highlight how allelochemical-producing plants influence not only their plant neighbours but also insects, fungi, and bacteria that live on or around them. We discuss challenges that need to be overcome to study chemical plant-interkingdom interactions, and we propose experimental approaches to address how biotic and chemical processes impact plant health.

Keywords: allelochemical; allelopathy; benzoxazinoids; interkingdom interaction; microbiome; plant–insect interaction; plant–microbe interaction; plant–plant interaction; root exudates; synthetic community.