Amensalizmis an antagonistic relationship between species in which one species adversely affects the other species. From this article you will learn more,what is amensalismand what it is about, you will learn interestingexamples of amensalismand you will learn how to use amensalism in the garden to fighting plant diseases and pests. As it turns out, the phenomenon of amensalism has many practical applications!
The phenomenon of amensalism can be used in the garden
Fig. depositphotos.com
What is amensalism?
Amensalism is a type of species relationshipin which the presence of one species or population adversely affects the other. This relationship is one-sided. For the other hand, the presence of the suffering species is indifferent and brings neither losses nor benefits. In this respect, amensalism differs from parasitism or predation, in which one side suffers losses and the other benefits.
Amensalizm and allelopathy
Amensalism is most commonamong microorganisms and is called antibiotics. In the plant world, it is called allelopathy and it consists in the production and release of substances harmful to the environment for individuals of other species.
The termallelopathyis derived from the Greek language and is a combination of the words allelon (mutual) and pathos (suffer, harm). Positive allelopathy is a form of symbiosis and negative allelopathy (a form of amensalism) is a form of defense against competition.
Amensalizm - examples
Discharge from the roots and fallen leaves , such as hydrogen cyanide, organic acids or tannins, can have a negative effect on the development of other plants. One of the best known effects is their influence on the seed germination process and seedling development.
Among plants, a prime example ofamensalism is the black walnut (Juglans nigra), which produces a toxin that prevents other plants from growing around. Species such as pine, black currant and mugwort eliminate other plants from their surroundings or prevent them from germinating. Oats, barley, garlic, peppers, wheat, tomatoes and onions secrete glycosides that inhibit the root development of other plant species. Carrots adversely affect the cultivation of brassica and dill vegetables, and birch has a negative effect on the growth of pine trees, and ash on the growth of oak.
Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is an example of amensalism in the world of plants
Fig. MONGO, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Amensalizm - use in gardening
Knowledge of dependencies, such as, for example, amensalismbetween plants is extremely useful in garden cultivation. It allows you to deal with diseases and pests in an ecological way, limiting or completely eliminating the use of chemicals. Compounds produced by one plant can be used to eliminate unwanted species (e.g. weeds) or to scare away pests.
Use the knowledge of amansalism in your gardenas follows:
- Avoid bad proximity to plants, i.e. planting plant species that affect each other adversely (e.g. do not plant carrots next to cabbage),
- Plant plants next to crops that deter pests or reduce the occurrence of fungal diseases (e.g. marigolds reduce the development of nematodes, and onions and garlic reduce the development of fungal diseases in plants).
Useantagonism between fungito combat common plant diseases using the natural preparation Polyversum WP.
Polyversum WP - 5g packaging for amateur applications
Fig. Target
It is an agent containing the non-pathogenic fungus Pythium oligandrum, which breaks down the hyphae of pathogenic fungi. It inhabits the root zone of plants, eliminating pathogenic fungi through competitive action. This agent can be safely used in the cultivation of many ornamental and fruit plants as well as vegetables.The most frequently mentioned application of Polyversum WPis combating fungal diseases such as gray mold and phytophthora. It is intended for use with field, orchard and manual sprayers as well as for watering and soaking plants.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
