Allelopathy between aromatic plant species during early developmental stages

Allelopathic interactions between seedlings of aromatic plants may result either in stimulation or in inhibition of different developmental processes. The intensity of these interactions through bioactive metabolites released by germinating seeds or secreted by growing seedlings of caraway, coriander, sage, and savoury may be modulated by water availability and by light conditions during germination and early vegetative growth. Coriander stimulated germination of summer savoury seeds in the presence of light and under water deficiency, but stem elongation of savoury seedlings was inhibited in cocultures with coriander. Summer savoury inhibited biomass accumulation of caraway seedlings only in the absence of light. Germination of common sage seeds was stimulated by the presence of caraway. Certain allelopathic effects were favoured by low water availability and by the presence of light. A better knowledge of the allelopathic interactions of aromatic plants and of the environmental conditions which support these effects will result in costeffective and environmentally friendly optimization of yield in cocultures.