Allelopathic and Environmental implications of plant phenolic compounds

Abstract

Interest in phenolic compounds has greatly developed during the past decade, hence, numerous biological, chemical and agricultural studies have been done. Thus much information has accumulated on the role of phenolic compounds in the environment. These have been investigated as allelopathic agents, plant growth regulators and for chemical defence in plant-pathogen interactions. Ecosystems degradation due to the effects of phenolic compounds has become very significant because it caused problems of natural regeneration failure, reforestation and management with serious ecological consequence. This paper reviews some recent findings, on role of phenolic compounds in plant-plant, plant-soil-microbial and plant-pathogens interactions with special emphasis on ecosystem degradation and regeneration.