The current state of knowledge on taxonomy, modulating factors, ecological roles, and mode of action of phytoplankton allelochemicals

Allelopathy is widespread in marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats. Literature data indicate that allelopathy could offer a competitive advantage for some phytoplankton species by reducing the growth of competitors. It is also believed that allelopathy may affect species succession. Thus, allelopathy may play a role in the development of blooms. Over the past few decades, the world's coastal waters have experienced increases in the numbers of cyanobacterial and microalgal blooming events. Understanding how allelopathy is implicated with other biological and environmental factors as a bloom-development mechanism is an important topic for future research. This review focuses on a taxonomic overview of allelopathic cyanobacteria and microalgae, the biological and environmental factors that affect allelochemical production, their role in ecological dynamics, and their physiological modes of action, as well as potential industrial applications of allelopathic compounds. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Allelopathy, the phenomenon of one plant species affecting the growth of another, is common in marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats. It can provide a competitive advantage for some phytoplankton species and may influence species succession and bloom development. Understanding the interactions of allelopathy with other factors is crucial for future research in this field.