October 2004 Newsletter 
Volume 6 No. 1
* Editor's Note
* IAS Officers
* President's Message
* Preview of the 4th World Congress
* Call for Nominations: Molisch and Grodzinsky Awards
* Treasurer's Report
* Reports on Recent Meetings
* Recent Publication
* Past Presidents' Corner
* Students' Corner
* Membership and Dues Information
Newsletter Editor: Jeff Weidenhamer
Department of ChemistryAshland UniversityAshland, Ohio 44805 USA
This issue of the newsletter highlights the upcoming Fourth World Congress on Allelopathy that will be held in
Also in this issue are some highlights from meetings in the past year that have focused on allelopathy – in
Please also note the enclosed membership renewal and membership application forms. If you have not renewed your membership or would like to join – now is the time! And don't forget to email or write me with pertinent material for future newsletters.
Jeff Weidenhamer
Secretary, International Allelopathy Society
| President
Dr. Azim
Mallik
email: azim.mallik@lakehedu.ca |
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| Past President:
Dr. Francisco
A. Macias
email:
famacias@uca.es
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| President-Elect:
Dr. Yoshiharu
Fujii
email: yfujii@affrc.go.jp |
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| Program Vice President:
Dr. James Pratley Dean, Faculty of Science and Agriculture Mail: Locked Bag 588 Charles Sturt Unversity Wagga Wagga NSW 2678 Australia email: jpratley@csu.edu.au |
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| Treasurer:
Dr. Leslie
Weston
email: law20@cornell.edu |
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| Secretary:
Dr. Jeff
Weidenhamer
email: jweiden@ashland.edu |
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| Editor in Chief:
Dr. Hank Cutler
email: Hcutler876@aol.com |
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| Webmanager:
Dr. Diego
Castellano
email: diego.castellano@uca.es |
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Industrial agriculture vs. ecological agriculture: Research and application of allelopathy can help achieve sustainable resource management
The evolutionary history of agriculture is intimately associated with anthropogenic manipulation of plants and ecosystems in order to increase yield and quality of crops. Superior seed selection, hybridization and innovative cultural practices such as disease and weed control, irrigation, soil fertility management by crop rotation, mulching, and manuring have all contributed to increased agricultural production.
A dramatic increase in yield of selected food crops was achieved in the second half of the 20th century following the so-called green revolution created by the development and extensive use of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, irrigation water and a wide variety of agrochemicals as fertilizers, paste and weed control agents in highly mechanized farming system giving birth to a new form agriculture, the Industrial Agriculture. However, the yield increase in this mode of agriculture came with a terrible cost of environmental degradation and the high-input, high-yield industrial agriculture has proven to be unsustainable.
The single most important attraction in this is high productivity. Sustainable or not “more resources now” draws attention in our world of six billion people even if it is not sustainable in the long run and it causes environmental degradation. Ecological degradation resulting from this form of agriculture is extensive, expensive and often beyond repair. Industrialized agriculture is performed in a business model where maximizing crop production at all costs is the preoccupation just like maximizing profit is the preoccupation in business. For the sake of increasing efficiency large tracts of land are brought under a single farm by homogenizing diverse habitats, causing a loss of biodiversity and marginalizing small farmers. This ‘one size fits all’ approach of agriculture characterized by extensive use of capital intensive farm machineries, a large variety of agrochemicals and irrigation water does not take into account the unique ecological conditions of the diverse habitats, sociological, cultural and economic standing of the farmers. Inherent in this mode of agriculture is the false assumption that the use of genetically modified seeds and agrochemicals will satisfy the increasing food demand. The idea of continuously growing high yielding crops under completely weed-free condition (herbicide ready crops) is a madness that makes no ecological sense and yet we are doing it. This mode of agriculture does not take into account the ecological costs of growing crops, and is neither ecologically or economically sustainable nor socially acceptable. This cannot continue.
Agricultural crops and systems should be developed based on ecological status of the natural capital of the area such as excess, optimum or limitation of water, soil nutrients, human capital such as labor, trained agricultural personnel and economic conditions of the farmers. Indigenous crops evolved under local ecological conditions can be improved and cultivated by modern scientific methods for local consumption and sale as opposed to growing externally developed crops that require excessive amounts of scarce resources, as is the case in many “Green revolution” HYVs in developing countries. This has caused disruptions in cropping patterns that had been in place for centuries and created ecological degradation of precious lands. An alternative form of agriculture must be developed that is not only productive but also ecologically and economically sustainable and socially just. Farmer and policy makers’ aspirations must be matched with the ecology of the land and appropriate technology for a long-term sustainability. Ecological solutions to modern agricultural problems, particularly environmental degradation, must be found. It begs the question, are there better ways to enhance the productivity of crops within the ecological threshold of the habitats? The central premise of the concept of Ecological Agriculture is just that. Crop production within the bound of ecological threshold will not only assure sustainability but also will preserve the diversity of culture and heritage of the society. We need to develop ways and means to practice agriculture in an ecological framework and not in a business framework as is currently practiced.
Our ten thousand-year history of agriculture is replete with examples of ancient biological and cultural methods of crop protection. Refinement of many traditional techniques of crop rotation, multiple cropping, mulching, cover cropping and green manuring and microbial inoculation can enhance crop productivity without compromising the environmental quality. Many plants and microbes can be used to control agricultural weeds and pests. Over the last four decades a large number of allelopathy bioassays have been conducted. Time has come to use these results to demonstrate the application of this knowledge by conducting statistically designed large-scale field studies.
Professor Jim Pratley and his team has been engaged in organizing the Fourth World Congress of Allelopathy with the congress theme Establishing Science. Establishing the scientific basis of a discipline is absolutely vital for its usefulness and acceptance. Thus we must understand the mechanisms of plant-plant interactions mediated by allelochemicals in order to formulate practical methods of sustainable natural resource management. Exciting advances have been made in recent years in understanding allelopathic mechanisms of several invasive plants (Callaway and Aschehoug 2000; Bais et al. 2003; Reinhart et al. 2003; Vivanco et al. 2004). Elucidation of such allelochemical mechanisms in crop-weed interactions can help developing tools for biological weed control. We have to work collaboratively with chemists, agronomists, ecologists, hydrologists, bio-statisticians and most of all with the farmers, foresters and aquaculturalists in solving their ecological problems using the knowledge of allelopathy. It is only then we can gain respect for our science and our profession. We must maintain a dual focus in our research by i) understanding the allelopathy mechanisms and 2) by using the knowledge develop tools for ecologically based sustainable resource management.
I look forward to seeing you all in
in August next year.
Azim Mallik
President, International Allelopathy Society
References:
Callaway, R.M. and Aschehough, E.T. 2000. Invasive plants versus their new and old neighbors: a mechanism for exotic invasion. Science 290: 521-523.
Bais, H.P., Vepachedu, R.,
Reinhart, K.O.; Packer, W.H.; Van der Putten and Clay, K. 2003. Plant-soil biota interactions and spatial distribution of black cherry in its native and invasive ranges. Ecology Letters 6: 1046-1050.
Vivanco, J.M.; Bais, H.P.; Stermitz, T.R.; Thelen, G.C. and Callaway, R.M. 2004. Biogeochemical variation in community response to root allelochemistry: novel weapons and exotic invasion. Ecology Letters 7: 285- 292.
“Establishing the Scientific Base”
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Fourth World Congress on Allelopathy – July 2004 Update
Planning is well underway for the Fourth World Congress on Allelopathy to be held in Wagga Wagga, NSW,
The program will begin on Sunday, August 21, with a late afternoon welcome reception and registration followed by 5 days of plenary and concurrent seminars, poster presentations, congress tours and plenty of Australian hospitality. Papers submitted for this Congress will be refereed and published online via
Authors of those papers accepted for the Congress will be notified and given details about proper presentation format. For papers to be published in the Proceedings, authors must attend the Congress. Students are especially encouraged to submit their research as the Congress aims to facilitate networking and discussion.
Wagga Wagga. NSW 2678
Fax: +61 2 69334977
Important Dates –
Congress
30 November 2004 |
Deadline for on-line submission of Abstracts for papers and posters |
28 February 2005 |
Deadline for on-line submission of full papers |
31 April 2005 |
Closing date for receipt of registrations eligible for the early bird discount |
31 May 2005 |
Deadline for on-line submission of final papers |
11 July 2005 |
Closing date for receipt of registrations (penalties may apply for registrations after this date |
A scenic view from Wagga Wagga
At each World Congress, the Society presents two individuals with its two highest awards: The Molisch Award is for outstanding academic achievement and/or service relating to the field of allelopathy; and the Grodzinsky Award is for the best single publication or book relating to allelopathy. Nominations should be submitted to Jim Pratley no later than 30 November 2004. Address: Dr. Jim Pratley, Dean, Faculty of Science and Agriculture Mail: Locked Bag 588, Charles Sturt Unversity, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678
2004 Treasurer’s Report
International Allelopathy Society
Balance June 2003 $5480.91
600.00 in checks never cashed after August 2002 meeting
Balance July 2003: 6130.91
July 2003 J. Weidenhamer 54.54 postage and supplies
Sept. 2003 J. Weidenhamer 74.95 software charge
Nov. 2003 C. Bertin 100.00 update of mailing list
2003-2004 Tompkins County Trust Co. 240.00 bank fees
EFT Transfer Tompkins County Trust Co. 429.20
Treasurer, International Allelopathy Society
20 Plant Science Building
Department of
Membership is paid on a triennial basis. Dues paid now will keep your membership current until the Fourth World Congress on Allelopathy in
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New members: Membership application |
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Renewing members: Membership renewal |
This workshop was conducted to discuss and develop protocols and methodologies for allelopathy research. Professor C.H.Chou, National Chair Professor and President,
Technical sessions conducted were: Laboratory and Field Bioassays; Allelopathy: Weeds and Pest Management; Allelopathy, Agroforestry and Environment Management; Chemistry, Physiology & Biochemical Aspects of Allelopathy; Conventional, Molecular and Biotechnological Approaches in Allelopathy. In the workshop, in total, 4 Lead Papers, 18 Invited Oral Papers and 32 Poster presentations were made. The papers generated healthy and fruitful discussion.
The Plenary Session was Chaired by Dr. P.S.Ahuja, Director Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur and Dr. V.K.Gupta, Ex Dean Post Graduate Studies, CSK HPAU., Palampur. Dr. Ahuja summed up the highlights from various sessions on the bases of reports presented by rapporteurs. Dr. Tej Partap, Vice-chancellor graced the occasion with his benign presence and presented the prizes for Poster Sessions. He also distributed the certificates of participation, workshop mementoes and Compact Discs of History of Science and Allelopathy (prepared by
The Workshop Tour covered (i)
Finally, the delegates were invited to visit the
Report submitted by:
Dept. Of Plant Physiology,
3 - 5 June 2004,
Organizers:
European Allelopathy Society
Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation
In terms of the research presented there, it is very clear that the chemistry of allelopathy has progressed substantially, with the work of the Macias group in
It is probably fair to say that the field applications of allelopathy still remain a challenge. This is understandable given the difficulties associated with such studies including the interaction with microbes and soil chemistry. However, the work of Nils Bertholdsoon showed increases in activity by wheat varieties against perennial ryegrass through selection over a century. The range of effect was not as great as with barley but prospects for greater effects were described. Dr Rizvi from ICARDA also found allelopathic capability in wheat varieties, achieving similar results to hand weeding.
Perhaps the most impressive session of the Symposium was the ‘FATEALLCHEM’ project. The acronym stands for ‘Fate and toxicity of allelochemicals in relation to environment and consumer’ and is a project across nine European institutes from six countries in the European Union. The funds have been made available through the Commission of the European Communities under the Quality of Life program. This has allowed much progress to be made across all aspects of allelopathy through pooling the expertise of the institutes. A detailed presentation by Dr Macias on the preparation of wheat allelochemicals and their degradation products showed how much progress had been made. Several papers then focused on studies of hydroxamic acids chemistry in wheat. Other papers in the FATEALLCHEM program focused on allelopathic effects on a range of organisms including carabid beetle, collembola, arthropods, aquatic organisms and weeds.
I was unable to stay for the last part of the Conference due to travel connections but my experience was very positive. Hospitality was outstanding and I acknowledge the work of the local committee led by Dr Wieslaw Oleszek in delivering an excellent symposium.
Report submitted by:
Dr. James Pratley
Dean, Faculty of Science and Agriculture
Charles Sturt Unversity
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This photo of Second European Allelopathy Symposium participants along with abstracts and other information is available on the conference web site at http://seas.iung.pulawy.pl/#program.
on “Allelopathy Research and Application”
27-29 April 2004,
The symposium topics included 1). Methodology of studying allelopathy; 2) Crop allelopathy; 3) Allelopathy in agriculture and forestry; 4) Plant and microorganism interactions; 5) Allelopathic mechanism; 6) Plant and herbivore interactions; 7) Allelopathy: a crossfire discussion.
National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province provided financial support for the symposium. Royal Holiday Hotel (an international four-stars hotel, official hotel for this symposium) provided an excellent environment.
Report submitted by:
Dr. Ren-sen Zeng, Organizing Secretary
Recent Publication of Interest
Allelopathy: Chemistry and Mode of Action of Allelochemicals
J.M.G. Molinillo,
ISBN# 0-8493-1964-1
$129.95 CRC Press, 2004
The book presents state-of-the-art developments in the chemistry and mode of action of allelopathic natural products, and focuses on the "hard science" aspects of Allelopathy--the chemistry and chemical interactions. A review by IAS Secretary Jeff Weidenhamer appears in the May 2004 issue of the Journal of Chemical Ecology (30: 1083-1085). The volume is a helpful resource for both established researchers and graduate students beginning their research. It will be particularly useful to those contemplating research on allelochemical modes of action. For more information, visit www.crcpress.com
Justus Ludewig von Uslar, and the First Book on Allelopathy
by R.J. Willis
2004, XIII, 148 p. 7 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 1-4020-2752-4 published by Springer Verlag
Due: October 2004
approx. 78,00 Euros. IAS Members are eligible for a 25% discount.
About this book: Allelopathy is a fascinating and perplexing topic that concerns the chemical interactions of plants. It has profound implications in agriculture and forestry where species are grown artificially in mixture, with no evolutionary history of co-existence. The topic of allelopathy is widely credited as commencing in 1937, when the term 'allelopathy' was coined by Molisch. However, the concept of allelopathy has been recorded since Greek and Roman times, and became extremely controversial in the first half of the 19th century, and remains so today. This book concerns a virtually unknown treatise by Justus Ludewig von Uslar, published in 1844, which emerges as the first book entirely devoted to the concept of allelopathy. The book provides the historical background to allelopathic knowledge, from antiquity to c. 1840. It also provides for the first time a biography of Justus Ludewig von Uslar, who is best known as the first Consul-General for Hannover in Mexico, and Director of the Mexican Company, a British venture mining company. In many ways von Uslar epitomises the tradition of the gentleman scientist of the 19th century. The book then offers a full translation into English of von Uslar's rare treatise, which foreshadows many ideas current in allelopathic research.
A Proposal for an IAS Foundation
Dear IAS Members,
The need and desirability of establishing a FOUNDATION for the International Allelopathy Society has become more apparent to many of us following the establishment of IAS in 1994. Discussion with Azim Mallik, President of IAS, and the Executive Committee of IAS has been most fruitful, and they have authorized me to proceed with the plan outlined below.
Many of you have thought that the IAS should have a FOUNDATION where the money is collected, and distributed to the Applicants upon meeting rigorous requirements.
Please communicate with me any suggestions.
Past President, International Allelopathy Society
These traditional methods of agriculture have evolved through trial and error over many centuries. People adapted the methods that worked for them. The very survival of these traditional methods documents the successful adaptation to local environments and land conditions. Applied research by modern agricultural scientists reveals that many of these traditional practices, which were once regarded as primitive, are actually sophisticated and complex. Agroecological evidence suggests that these systems are productive and sustainable, as well as being tuned to the social and cultural features of the farming communities.
Some of the methods employed by traditional farmers throughout the developing world include domestication of a diversity of plants and animals to maintain a broad genetic resource base, the establishment of diverse production zones, the development of technologies to deal with local geographic conditions such as slope and altitude, and development of methods specialized for climate, rainfall, and soil conditions. As I have seen at this conference, scientists are beginning to show interest in these traditional methods and are trying to find ways to modify them to meet larger production needs. It is now becoming accepted that this traditional knowledge is a powerful resource that can complement modern scientific knowledge to produce high yield, low input, and sustainable agriculture systems.
Unfortunately, these traditional systems are disappearing due to the social and economic changes occurring in many developing countries. Economic pressures are leading to an ecological breakdown that is starting to destroy the productivity and sustainability of traditional agriculture. After developing these resource-conserving systems for centuries, traditional and subsistence farmers are being undermined by external political and economic forces. This has resulted in a decrease of biodiversity on farms, acceleration of soil degradation, and a loss of genetic resources. In some cases it has even lead to the breakdown of societal and community structure. Given this scenario and commercial pressures and urban demands, some may argue that performance of sustainable farming is unsatisfactory, and that more intense production using modern inputs and crop varieties is necessary for farmers to go from traditional or subsistence farming to commercial production.
As agro-ecologists, it is our duty to oppose this view and by guiding such a transition in a way that the yields and incomes of farmers are increased without further contributing to environmental degradation. Adapting and improving, through further research and development, the resource conserving techniques that have long been in use by the traditional systems that modern agriculture is destroying, can accomplish this. As Dr. Mallik pointed out in his seminar, countries in North American and
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