The Occurrence and Behavior of Plant Phenolic Acids in Soil Environments and Their Potential Involvement in Allelochemical Interference Interactions: Methodological Limitations in Establishing Conclusive Proof of Allelopathy
Barry R. Dalton
Abstract
This chapter looks at the occurrence, behavior, and potential bioavailability of the most commonly identified group of phenolic compounds encountered in soils of most terrestrial, plant-dominated ecosystems, the phenolic acids. When phenolic acids enter the soil environment, physicochemical and biological processes immediately begin to affect the solution-phase concentration of these compounds. An enormous amount of information has been published about plant phenolics and their potential involvement in chemical interference interactions. Taking into consideration the abundance of phenolic compounds in soil systems and their phytotoxic potential, it is reasoned that certain situations may exist in which allelochemical interference is involved in differential seedling growth and survival, and ultimately, vegetation patterning. The chapter discusses new approaches and techniques to help overcome some of the current methodological limitations in establishing conclusive proof of allelopathy. Various extractants and extraction procedures have been used to determine phenolic acid concentrations in soils of natural and cultivated systems.