Application of hyphenated chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques to plant allelopathy research.

Plant allelopathy offers hope as an additional means of weed control in modern agriculture. Its mechanisms and molecular basis are not yet well understood. Research on the chemical basis for allelopathy has often been hindered by the complexity of plant and soil matrices, making it difficult to track active compounds. Recent improvements in the cost and capabilities of bench-top chromatography'mass spectrometry instruments make these tools more powerful and more widely available to assist with molecular studies conducted in today's expanding field. Such instrumental techniques are herein recommended as economically efficient means of advancing the rigor of allelopathy research and assisting the development of a better understanding of the chemical basis for the allelopathy phenomenon.