Allelopathic Plant-Soil Interactions Mediated by Cover Crops

Intensive agricultural practices coupled with climate change are seriously affecting soil health, causing the spread of herbicide-resistant and highly-competitive weeds, and the loss of soil biodiversity, organic matter and nutrient levels. Following the recommendations of the European “Green Deal” and the United Nations “Sustainable Development Goals”, agricultural systems are moving to agroecological solutions to decrease the use of auxiliary inputs (tillage, herbicides, fertilizers). On the one side, cover crops ensure several ecosystem services, while on the other side, allelopathy, the chemical interference between organisms through the release of secondary metabolites into the environment, is a valid sustainable option. Hence, the inclusion of allelopathic cover crops in farming systems may offer a novel agroecological approach. However, there is a lack of knowledge on allelopathic plant-soil interactions mediated by cover crops.

This Research Topic aims to collect the recent advancements on the effects of allelopathic cover crop species on weed flora, soil characteristics, soil microorganisms and cash crops. In addition, the Research Topic will explore the cover crop-soil microorganism interactions mediated by allelochemicals, aiming at disseminating new insights from research.

Original research articles, reviews, case studies, and perspectives that explore allelopathy in cover crops are welcome. Contributions may cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• effects of allelopathic cover crops on weeds, soil characteristics (physical, chemical and biological) and cash crops (production and quality), with special reference to weed and microbial communities;
• combination of allelopathic cover crops with other agronomic practices within integrated management systems;
• in vitro allelopathic effects of cover crop extracts on weed seed germination, seedling growth and microorganisms;
• extraction, identification and purification of allelochemicals in cover crops.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: allelopathy, cover crops, weed management, soil microorganisms, soil seedbank, species composition

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.