A Study of the Relative Amount and Composition of the Phenolic Acids Extracted from the Soils Undersome Tree Plantation

Allelopathy is shown by the plants through the secretion of secondary metabolites which are mostly phenolic acids or alkaloids. These phenolic acids and resins get released into the environment through leachation or upon decomposition. In the present experiment the relative amount and composition of phenolic acids released in the soils by Eucalyptus tereticornis, Leucaena leucocephala (both exotics), Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica (both indigenous) to India, is observed. In the present set of observations, it is found that the various exotic and indigenous tree species release certain phenolic acids in the extractable amount which may result in their allelopathic potential. The relative phytotoxicity depends upon the type and amount of phenolic acids present in their organic compounds. The E. tereticornis soils were found to have the maximum number of phenolic acids i. e. seven types. The D. sissoo, as held relatively least number of phenolic acids that too benzoic acid derivatives, has the least phytotoxic influence on under-grown vegetation as compared to other plantations.