Allelopathy for Sustainable Weed Management: Role of Nanotechnology in Enhancing Bioherbicides

Abstract

Weeds represent one of the most persistent constraints in global crop production, reducing yields and increasing production costs through competition for nutrients, water and light. Conventional weed management strategies, including chemical herbicides and mechanical control, have achieved short‑term success but are increasingly challenged by herbicide resistance, environmental concerns and sustainability demands. In this context, allelopathy a natural phenomenon in which plants release secondary metabolites to suppress competing species emerges as a promising eco‑friendly tool for weed management. Extraction of allelopathic compounds, coupled with their physiological and molecular effects, establish a conceptual framework for their practical application. Advances in molecular docking and computational approaches further facilitate allelochemical–protein interactions, offering predictive models for targeted weed suppression. Parallel to these developments, nanotechnology has revolutionized agricultural sciences by enabling precise delivery systems for bioactive compounds. Nanoencapsulation strategies enhance the stability, solubility and controlled release of allelochemicals, overcoming limitations of volatility and rapid degradation. Various encapsulation techniques have been adapted to encapsulate plant derived allelochemicals with diverse nanocarriers that offer tailored delivery of allelochemicals. Nano‑enabled weed control thus integrates the ecological benefits of allelopathy with the technological precision of nanoscience, paving the way for sustainable agriculture. This review highlights the critical perspectives on allelopathy, encapsulation strategies of allelochemicals and synergistic potential of allelopathy and nanotechnology, underscoring their role as innovative and sustainable approaches to modern weed management.