Forestry Research Methods

Abstract

Field studies to test the effects of natural levels of allelopathic compounds on coexisting native species are rare because allelopathic effects are difficult to quantify and evaluate under the field conditions. Field studies are conducted to demonstrate the effects of allelochemicals on ecosystem-level (through effects on litter decomposition, activity of decomposers, soil C and N cycling, soil humus, soil nutrients availability, soil water relation and soil respiration, plant mycorrhizal fungi and plant pathogens) and also to test allelopathic potential of allelochemical compounds from fresh leaves, leaf litter and soil of donor species on individuals of the same species (autotoxicity) and on coexisting species (growth, photosynthesis, respiration, chlorophyll and water relations of target plants) in forest community, through simultaneous measurements of allelochemical content in fresh leaves, leaf litter and in soil in experimental and control plots. This paper describes some field research methods and techniques to screen and monitor the effects of allelochemicals in forest ecosystems.