TY  - EJOU
AU  - Kato-Noguchi, Hisashi 
AU  - Kato, Midori 

TI  - Allelochemicals in the Invasive Success of Specific Alien Plant Species
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 
VL  - 
IS  - 
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - This review investigates the allelopathic characteristics of seven highly invasive plant species: <i>Lantana camara</i>, <i>Reynoutria japonica</i>, <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i>, <i>Bidens pilosa</i>, <i>Tithonia diversifolia</i>, <i>Arundo donax</i>, and <i>Pueraria montana</i> var. <i>lobata</i>. A thorough literature search was conducted using five databases. These plants employ allelopathy, releasing specific chemicals called allelochemicals that suppress the germination and growth of neighboring vegetation. Each produces a distinct profile of allelochemicals, including cinnamic acid derivatives, benzoic acid derivatives, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, pentacyclic triterpenoids, flavonoids, a non-protein amino acid, indole alkaloids, and anthraquinones. These allelochemicals are released into the environment through their roots, leaves, and decaying matter, giving the plants a competitive edge over native flora. This chemical suppression enables the plants to rapidly colonize and adapt to local habitats, indicating that allelopathy may contribute to their invasive success.
KW  - Allelopathy; competition; decomposition; exudation; growth inhibition; phytotoxicity; rhizosphere; volatile

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2026.087465