Allelopathy
Recently, a school student asked me the meaning of the word 'Allelopathy' which was required for composing an essay on environment friendly agriculture. I think it would be helpful for others if I reproduce here the reply I had given to that student.
The word Allelopathy has a similarity with another word Allopathy. Both the words originated from Greek. Allelopathy is an agrochemical process wherein plants release some chemicals (called allelochemicals) that are toxic in nature.
These chemicals leave a detrimental effect on neighbouring plants or its own sharing the same habitat.
Of course allelochemicals also have positive effects on plant growth if used scientifically which can control weeds. Thus it can reduce the use of hazardous chemical weedicides, herbicides, etc. towards ensuring environment friendly agriculture. Allelopathy was earlier found in agricultural practice by Theophrastus (285 to 372 BC).
Allopathy is a term coined by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy. Allopathy is a way of medical practice.
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