ABSTRACT
Potential role of Eucalyptus spp. and Acacia spp. allelochemicals in weed management

Paagiotis Kanatas1*
 
Eucalyptus spp. and Acacia spp. have been reported as major invaders in several regions and Mediterranean climates. It has been documented that E. globulus and E. camaldulensis can serve as resources of allelochemicals, which can be used as tools of control strategy of noxious weed species infesting the agricultural areas of the Mediterranean region. Additionally, the remarkable allelopathy potential ofA. dealbataLink against various weed species has been highlighted in many recent studies. There is also evidence that other species belonging toAcaciaspp. can suppress the native vegetation, including weeds, due to their allelopathic potential. However, allelochemical extracts from different plant tissues seem variable in terms of their effects on various species germination and growth parameters. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the allelochemicals in weed management is also amatter of choosing the most appropriate application rate at any case. In the present review, aspects of the potential role of Eucalyptus spp. and Acacia spp. allelochemicals in weed management were discussed. Further research is needed in order to optimize the use of such allelochemicals produced by invasive plants in the Mediterranean region in both organic and sustainable agriculturesystems.
Keywords: Acacia spp., allelopathy, Eucalyptus spp., invasive, weed management
1Agricultural Cooperative of Mesolonghi-Nafpaktia, 30200 Mesolonghi, Greece. *Corresponding author (pakanatas@gmail.com).