The Poaceae family is the most ecologically dominant and the most economically important plant family, worldwide. It is also an important source for new molecules. Scientists Favaretto et al. reviewed allelopathy – i.e. plant growth suppression by another species due to toxic substances – in Poaceae species present in Brazil. They revealed that less than 3% of the Brazilian species have yet been studied. They advocated supplementary research on Poaceae allelochemicals with bioherbicide properties to promote sustainable agriculture.
