Emerging Trends in Allelopathy: A Genetic Perspective for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Over the past decades, a growing interest in allelopathy has been recorded due to the effective use of allelochemicals as growth regulators, bioherbicides, insecticides, and antimicrobial crop protection in the sustainable agriculture field. So far, the genetic aspects of the allelopathic effects have been poorly studied, and the identification of allelopathic genes and/or genomic regions (QTLs) has become a challenge to implement specific breeding programs. Here, we review the recent genetic and genome-based research findings in allelopathy, with a particular emphasis on weed control, which is one of the major crop yield-limiting factors. We discuss the key plant–microorganism interactions, including the cross-kingdom RNAi phenomenon and the involvement of microRNAs in allelopathy. Through this review, we wanted to lay the foundation for advancing knowledge in allelopathy and uncover the areas where research is needed.

Keywords

• allelopathic genes
• quantitative trait loci (QTL)
• weed control
• microorganisms
• next-generation sequencing (NGS)
• cross-kingdom RNAi