Agronomy faces the dual challenge of escalating herbicide resistance and the urgent demand to reduce synthetic inputs in crop production [1]. Conventional allelopathy research has largely overlooked compounds with dual functionality—those capable of suppressing weeds while simultaneously stimulating crop performance. This study develops a systematic ethnobotanical meta-screening framework to identify such dual-action allelochemicals, with a specific focus on Mediterranean plant diversity and traditional agroecological practices.
The objective is to uncover, characterize, and prioritize allelochemicals derived from ethnobotanically reported species that exhibit selective weed suppression and crop biostimulation at ultra-low concentrations (≤1 µM). Our hypothesis posits that these compounds, when integrated with optimized plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), can synergistically disrupt weed metabolism while enhancing nutrient uptake, stress resilience, and yield potential in crops.
The methodology combines ethnobotanical database mining, cross-validation with phytochemical libraries, and machine learning–based pattern recognition to detect recurring plant interference traits [2]. Candidate compounds are further assessed through precision bioformulations composed of purified essential oil fractions and PGPR consortia, tested under representative Mediterranean pedoclimatic conditions.
Preliminary screening highlights compound families such as sesquiterpene lactones (e.g., artemisinin derivatives) and iridoid glycosides, which demonstrated selective weed inhibition (70–85%) and significant crop biomass increases (25–40%) through enhanced root development and nutrient assimilation [3]. Field validations indicate potential yield gains equivalent to 150–200% ROI compared with conventional herbicide–fertilizer programs.
This work establishes a novel paradigm in sustainable agriculture, bridging Mediterranean traditional ecological knowledge with precision bioformulation science. By leveraging underexplored ethnobotanical resources, the study introduces a transformative strategy for sustainable intensification, environmental protection, and global food security.
References
1. Duke SO. Proving allelopathy in crop–weed interactions. Weed Sci. 2015;63(SP1):121–132.https://doi.org/10.1614/WS-D-13-00130.1
2. Scognamiglio M, et al. Metabolomics-driven exploration of allelopathic interactions. J Exp Bot. 2015;66(11):3211–3222.
3. Macías FA, et al. Allelopathy: a natural alternative for weed control. Pest Manag Sci. 2019;75(9):2413–2427.
- DOI: 10.1002/ps.1342
