Development of Allelopathy in India

Development of Allelopathy in India (1990 onwards)

In India the allelopathy research has developed slowly till 1990. Prof. S.S. Narwal (Agronomist, Haryana Agri. Uni. Hisar) corresponded with 3-Indian Botanists-Pioneers of Allelopathy Research (Profs. D.N. Sen, University of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, S.C. Dutta, University of Calcutta, S.M. Pandya, University of Rajkot, Gujarat), who started Allelopathy Research in 1970's, but stopped it. Because they did Lab Bioassays with some plants extracts/leachates on other plants, whose seeds germination and seedlings growth were Inhibited/Stimulated. They did not anticipate further use of such research, hence, was stopped. On the other hand, Prof. S.S. Narwal (Agronomist) in 1975 in field studies observed very poor germination, growth and yield of Green gram (Vigna radiata) due to inhibitory Allelopathic effects in following crop in Green gram-Green gram rotation. In 1989, he was Visiting Scientist in world famous Department of Allelopathy, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev, USSR lead by Prof. A.M. Grodzinsky. There he saw a Multi-desciplinary Team (Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant protection, Genetics/ Plant Breeding, Horticulture,. Botany/Plant Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Soil Microbiology) was working on both Basic and Applied aspects of Allelopathy. This exposure lead to the establishment of Indian Society of allelopathy in 1990 in Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana. Thereafter following Activities started for the advancement of Allelopathy.

1. Indian Society of Allelopathy

The Indian Society of Allelopathy was established in Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar in 1990, on the initiative of Prof. S.S. Narwal, Visiting Professor in Department of Allelopathy, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev, USSR. It was established to (i). To disseminate knowledge of allelopathy, (ii). To encourage research in the field of allelopathy (iii). To Organise National and International Conferences to disseminate scientific knowledge among scientists and to facilitate mutual contacts with International Allelopathy Scientists. (iv). To publish Journal and books etc and (v). To identify problems of allelopathic nature and to suggest researches to overcome the harmful allelopathic effects.

Allelopathy: A Multidisciplinary Research Area

Allelopathy refers to any process involving secondary metabolites produced by plants, microorganisms, viruses and fungi that influence the growth and development of Agricultural and Biological Systems (International Allelopathy Society, 1996). It is a multi-disciplinary area of research. Based on the wide exposure of Prof. Narwal in the field of Allelopathy, he suggested following Allelopathy Research Areas, depending upon the nature of study:

Agricultural sciences. Agronomy, Soil Science, Entomology, Nematology, Plant Pathology, Genetics/ Plant Breeding, Agroforestry, Horticulture, Vegetable Crops.

Biosciences and ecology. Biotechnology, Botany/Plant Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Zoology, Fishery and Aquaculture.

Health Sciences: Use of Medicinal plants to treat Human diseases and ailments e.g. Indian System of Auyrveda and Chinese Traditional Medicinal Systems.

2. International Allelopathy Conferences Organised in India

To promote Allelopathy Research worldwide, Prof. S.S. Narwal, currently Chief Editor Allelopathy Journal had organised following 4-International Conferences in India from 1992-2004 in Collaboration with International Allelopathy Foundation:

First International Congress Allelopathy in Agroecosystems (Agriculture and Forestry-1992

Second International Congress Alleloapthy in Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Environment-1994

Third International Congress Allelopathy in Ecological Agriculture and Forestry-1998

Fourth International Congress Allelopathy in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems -2004

3. Allelopathy Books

For development of any science, the easy availability of Literature is necessary. Hence, the Allelopathy Books was established in 1993 with following Objectives:

The main objectives of Allelopathy Books are:

• To disseminate knowledge about Allelopathy
• Publication and Distribution of Allelopathy Journal and
• Sale of Allelopathy Books of Prof. S.S. Narwal.
• To coordinate the activities of International Allelopthy Foundation,

The Allelopathy Books (besides Sale of books) have two Divisions : Allelopathy Journal and International Allelopathy Foundation. The Allelopathy Books and International Allelopathy Foundation (IAF) had been making the Allelopathy Literature available to researchers Worldwide. Since 1996, the Allelopathy Books and IAF have taken following steps in this regard.

4. ALLELOPATHY BOOKS-INTERNATIONAL ALLELOPATHY FOUNDATION

The Allelopathy Books was the main organization and its subsidiary, International Allelopathy Foundation (IAF) was established in 1993, to develop and popularise the science of allelopathy Worldwide. Their main objectives are: (a) To publish allelopathy literature viz., Journal and Books, (b) To translate and publish allelopathy literature from non-English languages to English and (c) To Organise Conferences on allelopathy. The Allelopathy Books and IAF are self-sustaining organisations and do not receive funds from other Agencies and are successfully achieving their objectives as under:

• (i). Allelopathy Books and IAF are publishing the Allelopathy Journal since 1994 and have completed 66- Volumes till 2025,
• (ii). 3-Non-English Allelopathy Books were Translated to English language and Printed and
• (iii). Organised 4- International Allelopathy Conferences in India in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2004
• (iv). Organised 5-International Short Courses on Allelopathy in Italy, China, Tunisia.

For all Activities follow the Link Allelopathy Books and International Allelopathy Foundation

5. Allelopathy Journal

One of the major recommendation of the First International Allelopathy Conference held in 1992 was to start its own Allelopathy Journal, exclusively for Publication of Allelopathy related Research papers and Reviews. World over, it is the only Journal in this new field of science, Edited by an International Editorial Board of Prominent Allelopathy Scientists. Its Publication was started in 1994 and has successfully completed 31-years of publication (published 66-Volumes) up until 2025. Since 2016, it is published Bi-Monthly for faster Publication of Mss. It publishes Research Papers and Review Papers on all aspects of allelopathy and related areas including Health Sciences. It is published in both PRINT and ONLINE Editions. The Journal is indexed in SCOPUS, BIOSIS and UGC Approved List, Ulrich's Directory of International Periodicals and Abstracted in CABI Abstracts. The Journal covers the following subject areas:

• Plant-Plant Interactions
• Plant-Microorganisms Interactions
• Plant-Plant Pathogens Interactions
• Plant-Insect Interactions
• Plant Environment Interactions
• Plant Soil Interactions

6. International Allelopathy Society

Prof. S.S. Narwal is the Originator of International Allelopathy Society (IAS), during the II. International Allelopathy Conference-1994 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The IAS was established on September 5, 1994 and following Allelopathy Researchers were present: Caldiz, Daniel O. (Argentina),,Willis, Rick (Australia), Malik, Azim U. (Canada), Vicherkova, Miroslava (Czech Republic), Ma, Yongping (China), Sirkka, Jaakola (Finland), Pellisier, Francois (France), Mikulas, Joseph P. (Hungary), Narwal, Shamsher S. (India), Yadav, J.S. (India), Della Greeca, Marina (Italy), Pinto, Gabriele (Italy), Fujii, Yoshiharu (Japan), Qasem, J.R. (Jordan), Park, Young Goo (South Korea), Lesczynski, Bogumil (Poland), Oleszek, Wieslaw (Poland), Dias, Silva (Portugal), Dias, A.A. (Portugal), Gaspar, Elvira M.S.M. (Portugal), Neves, H.J. Chaves des (Portugal), Pereira, I.P. (Portugal), Gonzalez, L. (Spain), Reigosa, Manuel J. (Spain), Souto, X.C. (Spain), Reinhardt, Caarl F. (South Africa), Cutler, Horacve G. (USA), Waller, George R. (USA), Golovko, E.A. (Ukraine), Grakhov, V.P. (Ukraine), Orel, L.V. (Ukraine) The IAS could not achieve its aims, as it does not have its own Journal and Permanent Office till now even after 27-Years of its establishment.

7. International Short Courses on Allelopathy

Allelopathy is a new and potential field of research, as the term 'Allelopathy' was coined by Prof. Hans Molisch in 1937. It provides basis to sustainable Agriculture and Traditional Medicinal Systems, hence, currently allelopathy research is being done in most countries of world. The indiscriminate use of pesticides for pests (Weeds, Insects, Nematodes, Pathogens) control has resulted in serious ecological and environmental problems. Some agricultural commodities may contain minute quantities of pesticides residues, with long term adverse effects on human and livestock health. Because of these reasons, serious ecological questions about the reliance on pesticides for pests control have been raised. Since the allelopathy is a new field of science, hence, there is less awareness among the Agricultural and Health scientists about the scope of allelopathy in Agricultural and Biosciences.

Why International Allelopathy Courses?

These courses are necessary to make strong foundations of young future Allelopathy researchers with (i). Background knowledge, (ii). Recent Advances in Allelopathy, (iii). Methods of Allelopathy Research and (iv). Writing effective Research Papers.

Manuscripts of Young Researchers

Prof. S.S. Narwal, has been associated with Processing of Manuscripts for Allelopathy Journal since 1994, first as Regional Editor (1994-2007) and now as Chief Editor (2008-). During this long period, he has observed that (i). fairly large Number of Authors are beginners in the field of Allelopathy and (ii). many Manuscripts have numerous shortcomings, thus leading to their rejection/ delay in publication.

Benefits:

The main benefits of these courses for the participants are to get (a) the Theoretical knowledge of Allelopathy, (b) Practical Experience of Allelopathy Research and (c) How to describe the Research Results effectively in Research Papers. Hence, these Courses are most necessary to properly train our future Allelopathy Researchers.

Details of International Allelopathy Courses Organised

FIRST INTERNATIONAL SHORT COURSE ON ALLELOPATHY

June 2007. Sant Anna Institute, Pisa, Italy.

SECOND INTERNATIONAL SHORT COURSE ON ALLELOPATHY

July 2009. College of Horticulture, Harbin, China.

THIRD INTERNATIONAL SHORT COURSE ON ALLELOPATHY

August 2009. College of Horticulture, CATAS, Hainan, China.

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL SHORT COURSE ON ALLELOPATHY

July 2011. College of Horticulture, Harbin, China.

FIFTH INTERNATIONAL SHORT COURSE ON ALLELOPATHY

August 2009. College of Horticulture, CATAS, Hainan, China.

ALLELOPATHY LECTURES

To popularise Allelopathy in various countries, Prof. S. S. Narwal besides organising, 'International Short Courses on Allelopathy' also delivered lectures  on different Aspects of Allelopathy Research.