What term describes chemical inhibition of growth caused by chemicals released into the soil by one plant?

• A. Allelopathy
• B. Abiotic
• C. Biotic Disorders
• D. Arachnid

Answer: (A)

Allelopathy is the phenomenon in which chemicals released by one plant into the soil interfere with the growth, germination, or development of neighboring plants. These allelochemicals can come from leaves, roots, or decaying plant material and can suppress other species nearby, affecting how well they establish or grow. A classic example is juglone from black walnut trees, which can inhibit many surrounding plants. This describes chemical inhibition of growth due to substances entering the soil from one plant. Abiotic factors are non-living stresses like drought or salinity, biotic disorders are diseases caused by pathogens or pests, and arachnids are a type of pest unrelated to this plant-to-plant chemical interaction.