Fate and toxicity of allelochemicals (natural plant toxins) in relation to environment and consumer

Objective

In recent years there has been an increasing focus on the prospects of exploiting allelopathy as an alternative strategy for controlling weeds, insects and diseases. However, the environmental and toxicological consequences of this should be investigated. The objective of the present project is to perform an environmental and human risk assessment of exploiting the allelopathic properties of wheat in modern farming and to develop a framework for future assessments of allelopathic crops. Well-described allelopathic properties of wheat combined with low environmental persistence and low toxicities will enhance the possibilities for farmers to make a sound production. If the evaluation of environmental persistence and human as well as environmental toxicities shows that the allelochemical compounds constitute a higher risk than the risk of low doses of synthetic pesticides, new views must be put on exploiting allelopathy.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-5. - Key action Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

DANISH INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Address

Research Centre Flakkebjerg
4200 Slagelse
Denmark

Participants (7)

CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS

Spain

Address

Jordi Girona 18-26
08034 Barcelona

FEDERAL OFFICE AND RESEARCH CENTRE OF AGRICULTURE

Austria

Address

Spargelfeldstrasse 191
1226 Wien

INSTITUTE FOR AGROBIOTECHNOLOGY IN TULLN

Austria

Address

20,Konrad Lorenzstrasse 20
3430 Tulln

LITHUANIAN INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE

Lithuania

Address

Zalioji A. 2
4002 Traku Voke

MARIO NEGRI INSTITUTE FOR PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Italy

Address

62,Via Eritrea 62
20157 Milano

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Denmark

Address

399,Frederiksborgvej 399
4000 Roskilde

UNIVERSIDAD DE CADIZ

Spain

Address

Calle Ancha 16
000 Cadiz