Gavin Booth

Biology 1035
Lab paper

Allelopathy

Plants can produce biochemicals that can kill plants growing in too close of a proximity.
At the same time, it is able to help some plants grow. Some plants arent affected by the harmful
chemicals. Allelopathy is just a function in which the host plant produces a helpful or harmful
chemical. So which of these chemicals are harmful, and why are they harmful? How are these
chemicals managing to reach neighboring plants? We will be looking at the relationship between
the black walnut tree and which plants it can hurt, and which plants it can help. The black walnut
tree is known to kill nearby fruit plants. How does it produce these chemicals, and why?
Allelopathy is not the plants production of the chemicals, but the phenomenon for why
the plant creates bio chemicals. Allelochemicals are what a plant creates to promote growth and
reproduction for itself and partnering plants. This way, they can create a mutual relationship with
organisms that help the host in a positive way. However, the allelopathy can have a negative
effect. Plants within a certain radius, based off the age of the plant, can be completely poisonous.
Being able to distribute the proper chemicals to destroy any plant is an incredible process. When
these allelochemicals become detrimental to plant life around the host, it can be seen as a method
of defense. Lowering the amount of plants surrounding gives more sunlight, water, and minerals
to the central organism. The plants metabolism creates the chemicals but they are required for the
metabolic functions.

Trees such as the black walnut tree produce a chemical known as juglone, (source
#2). This biochemical is toxic and can either stunt growth or kill plants. When absorbed, the
juglone inhibits particular enzymes needed in functions of the metabolism. Allelopathic
inhibition is complex and can involve the interaction of different classes of chemicals, such as,
alkaloids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, with mixtures of different compounds. The
physiological and environmental stresses, pests and diseases, solar radiation, herbicides, and less
than optimal nutrient, moisture, and temperature levels can also affect allelopathic weed
suppression. Different plant parts such as, flowers, leaves, fallen leaves and plant compost (leaf,
stems, bark, roots), and soil can potentially have allelopathic activity. While plants and
organisms are shutting dowm, others are not as sensitive to the effects of juglone.
Some plants have processes in which to either get rid of the chemicals or lower the levels
to harmless levels. There are some organisms have chemicals of their own to combat the killer
biochemicals. Julian Coleman has explained the process, Plants have versatile detoxification
systems to counter the phytotoxicity of the wide variety of natural and synthetic chemicals
(xenobiotics) present in the environment. One important detoxification mechanism is chemical
modification of the xenobiotic by covalent linkage to the endogenous tripeptide, glutathione. The
resulting glutathione conjugates are exported from the cytosol to the vacuole by an ATPdependent tonoplast transporter. This detoxification pathway shares many features with the
pathway used by plants for the synthesis and vacuolar deposition of secondary metabolites, such
as anthocyanins. In addition, the vacuolar glutathione-conjugate transporter shows functional
similarities with an ATP-binding cassette transporter- . The juglones affects arent only toward
plants; it can infect insects and herbivores a like.

Organisms other than plants can be sensitive to juglone, and become sickly from it. This
is possible because juglone is made throughout the entire plant. Black walnut trees store
allelopathic properties within their buds, nut hulls, and roots. The plant can distribute the
chemicals from the root system and produce them within the leaves and bark. Each method has a
peak season for the amount of chemicals it will create inside the organism. The trees and plants
growing and expanding throughout spring. While growing, the trees make the most juglone in
the leaves. As spring ends and summer come the concentration of juglone moves. In the summer
months, the highest presence of chemicals will be found under the soil in the root system. As the
organism continues to mature the amount of juglone increases around the body.
When the black walnut tree produces high levels of chemicals it begins to distribute them
from the root system into the soil. Once introduce to the soil the chemicals and solutes being to
move to the low concentration of neighboring plants. The plant creates its own hypertonic
environment by doing this. Process of solutes moving in soil is slow depending on how close or
far the target is. Juglone is not a water soluble chemical which allows it so stay within the dirt.
To determine the max radius of spread of juglone from the root system, determine the height of
the tree and double it. A fully mature walnut tree can have a total radius of fifty-sixty feet of
which any plant sensitive to juglone will not be able to grow. If an animal or insect that is
sensitive to juglone where to eat the leaves or bark they would be ingesting the chemicals. Once
the body begins to break down the plant the juglone would infect and begin to effect the
metabolism and functions of the organism.
What is the reason that the walnut tree and other plant like it try to exterminate
neighboring plants? Trees, vines, and flowering plant all living in a close vicinity are constantly
competing. While some help each other, organisms are in a battle for their three essential parts to

thrive. The main things plant need to survive are water, sun light, and minerals. As the
population of plants in a certain area grow it makes it harder for each plant to grain the proper
amounts of necessary ingredients. This makes the system of excreting juglone out of the root
system very valuable. Walnut trees use this system to protect themselves and eliminate the
competition for sunlight and water. Plants that are commonly struck down by the walnut trees are
most berries, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Several test where done before scientist where able to find juglone in plants. Its was in
the early 1880s that juglone was first discovered. After finding they had to figure out why it was
there. Because it was made within the metabolic they thought it was going to be directly
necessary to the health of the plant. It wasnt until the test of juglone with other plants that they
found out otherwise. This was when they found there was destructive effects on certain
organisms. This led to show why particular crops werent able to be grown near walnut trees.
If the tree where to be cut down in order to remove it to plant other crops, it will take time for the
juglone to be able to dissipate from the roots and bark. The plants containing juglone can be
composted but can still be harmful while freshly cut up. While the bark or leaves are being
composted they are broken down by water, air, and bacteria. During the break down process the
juglone and other chemicals are breaking down as well. The bark, when chopped up, can take
two to four weeks before the juglone becomes neutralized to a point of which it will not affect
animals. The root system will take closer to two months unless is completely removed or milled
from the soil. Once the tree is removed and the ground has been allowed time to dissipate the left
over chemicals, it will be available to plant the crops that where sensitive and shutting down
from the allelopathic process.

Juglone is the main bio chemical that causes a stunt in growth in neighboring plant. This
process of allelopathy is what is considered biochemical warfare among plants. They combat
each other to order to gain the most amounts of light, minerals, and water. Once it was
discovered that plants and trees where excreting this chemical juglone, they realized it was the
reason many plants and crops couldnt be planted within the radius. The harmful effects were
also noticed when horses were near walnut trees or if the wood was chopped and put in the
stables. Most of the horses begin to get sick because of the wood and leaves. On the other hand,
some organisms are resistant to the affects. They have their own methods to combat the
allelochemicals, and thrive sharing the ground. This whole phenomenon of warfare in the plant
life around us happens around us. It goes on in everyday life, anywhere plants are growing and
we almost never know it is.

Sources

1. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/allelopathic-plants.htm
2. Columbus, Ohio Black walnut toxicity. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1148.html
3. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/jul/070701.htm
4. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs186