Density-dependent chemical interference--an extension of the biological response model

J Chem Ecol. 2001 Jul;27(7):1513-23. doi: 10.1023/a:1010329612753.

Abstract

The response of plants to many phytochemicals changes from stimulatory to inhibitory as the concentration of the phytochemical increases. In this paper, a previous biological response model is extended to yield estimates of plant responses to changes in phytochemical concentrations in the case of density-dependent phytotoxicity. This requires a knowledge of plant densities, phytochemical concentrations in soil, and the relationship between the two. According to this model extension, inhibition is a probable outcome in density-dependent chemical interference, but phytotoxic effects may become stimulatory as plant density increases. In addition, low phytochemical concentrations in soil may cause an increase in the slope of the biomass-density relationship compared to the slope of control treatments. Experimental data from the literature support this model extension, and in several cases density-dependent chemical interference can be estimated mathematically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Biomass
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Insecta*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Pheromones*
  • Plants*
  • Population Dynamics
  • Predatory Behavior

Substances

  • Pheromones