Figure 1.

The concept of allelopathy and plant–soil interaction. (I) Donor plants release allelochemicals from their roots or decomposing leaf materials. Allelochemicals exert growth inhibitory activity on target plants either directly (A) or via the intermediate of soil microorganisms, which convert the plant-derived compound into a more active form (B); (II) Invasive plants might alter native plant–soil interactions by changing soil chemistry, the composition of soil-living symbiotic mutualists, or the abundance of local pathogens.