1 Background for Designing Laboratory Bioassays<br>1.1 Introduction<br>1.2 Allelopathic Interactions<br>1.3 Nature of Allelopathic Compounds<br>1.4 Sources of Allelopathic Compounds and Modifiers in Soils<br>1.5 Holism and Reductionism<br>1.6 Benefits and Limits of Laboratory Bioassays<br>1.7 False Assumptions and Misconceptions for Laboratory Bioassays<br>1.8 References<br>2 Introduction to the Fundamentals of Laboratory Bioassays<br>2.1 Factors of Bioassay Systems<br>2.2 Basic Information Required for All Bioassay Systems<br>2.3 References<br>3 Some Issues and Challenges When Designing Laboratory Bioassays<br>3.1 Introduction<br>3.2 Treatment Concentrations<br>3.3 Field Inputs and Laboratory Treatments of Water-Soluble Compounds<br>3.4 Mobility and Proximity of Compounds in Soil Media<br>3.5 Seed and Seedling Densities<br>3.6 Symbiotic Relationships<br>3.7 Soil Microorganisms (Microflora and Fauna)<br>3.8 Herbivory and Disease<br>3.9 Physicochemical Environments<br>3.10 References or Controls<br>3.11 Measurements<br>3.12 Final Comments<br>3.13 References<br>4 Hypothetical Standard Screening Bioassays<br>4.1 Introduction<br>4.2 Living Plants<br>4.3 Plant Litter and Residues<br>4.4 Field Soils<br>4.5 Final Comments<br>4.6 References<br>5 Effects, Modifiers, and Modes of Action of Allelopathic Compounds Using Phenolic Acids as Model Compounds<br>5.1 Introduction<br>5.2 Individual Compounds<br>5.3 Simple Mixtures<br>5.4 Complex Mixtures<br>5.5 Modes of Action<br>5.6 Final Comments<br>5.7 References<br>6 Hypothetical Cause and Effect Bioassays<br>6.1 Introduction<br>6.2 Identified Putative Allelopathic (IPA) Organic Compounds<br>6.3 Complex Solutions<br>6.4 Using Regression Analyses to Relate Potential Causes with Effects<br>6.5 Treatment Surface Areas<br>6.6 Using Omics Methods as Tools<br>6.7 References<br />7 Laboratory Model Systems and Field Systems: Some Final Thoughts<br>7.1 Introduction<br>7.2 Comparison of Field and Present Laboratory Model Systems<br>7.3 Is the Present Criticism by Critics Regarding Plant-Plant Allelopathic Interactions in the Field Credible?<br>7.4 Improving the Value of Laboratory Bioassay Systems<br>7.5 Future Directions: Questions that Need Answers<br>7.6 Central Tenets (i.e., Opinions, Doctrines, or Principles) Articulated in this Volume<br>7.7 Final Comments<br>7.8 References<br>Author Index<br>Subject Index