What is this all about - fact or myth. I come across the statement that one should not replant roses into the same area because of 'rose sickness' yet there is never any seemingly definitive explanation of this phenomenon ?
I've read the suggestion that maybe there is a chemical residue left behind by the previous occupant, as with allelopathy. But there must be a million people who haven't heard of rose sickness who have replanted promptly in the same hole. An organized, scientific study, with large numbers of similar plants and controls would be needed to see if there is anything to it or not. I haven't heard of anyone doing this, possibly if you did a web search for "rose sickness" something about a study would come up. I know I was able to get information online about a Royal National Rose Society pruning study once.
Soil Sickness I know soil sickness is part of Allelopathy Research. many factors cause soil sickness, bur allelopathy plays major role. Generally all the plants release root exudates in soil. These root exudates are good food for soil microflora and they multiply in large numbers, however, their metabolites are phytotoxic to growing plants and reduce their growth.Besides the root exudates also contain allelochemicals and when their concentration becomes very high they adversely effect plant growth. i am hearing for the first time about soil sickness in Roses. However it is well known in apple,pear, peach orchards and in field crops like green gram, Rice whrn same is grown again in the same field after a very short break. Allelopathy is a new and emerging science. You are welcome to ask any query about allelopathy and literature. Prof.S.S. Narwal International Allelopathy Foundation 8/15, Haryana Agri University Hisar-125 004, India Phone/FAX; +91-1662-238083 allelopathy1947@yahoo.com
Allelopathy I am under the impression that "Allelopathy" or it's effects are primarily aimed at other species: the daisies won't let the grasses grow nearby, when you root out a dandylion and don't reseed the next thing growing there will be another dandylion, etc.. For an organism to be "self allelopathic" seems counter intuitive. (I guess human beings are a special case... perhaps that's why I like plants.) I'd be interested in hearing more about this. Ralph
I have edited the Book SOIL SICKNESS AND ALLELOPATHY and was released in January 2006. This is the only Book on Soil Sickness which deals with flowers, field crops, Fruit trees, Forests and the reasons of Soil sickness. It is very basic Book and the people interested in this topic must read this Book. I have few copies of this book for sale. Besides, we are also publishing Special Issue of Allelopathy Journal in July 2006. Prof.S.S. Narwal International Allelopathy Foundation 8/15, Haryana Agri University Hisar-125 004, India Phone/FAX; +91-1662-238083 allelopathy1947@yahoo.com
