The key difference between allelopathy and antibiosis is based on the type of effect brought by each phenomenon. Allelopathy brings about both positive and negative effects on the relationship between two or more organisms, while antibiosis brings about negative effects on one of the organisms involved in the relationship.
Nutrition plays an important role in the survival of organisms. In that context, the relationship between organisms for the nutrient requirement is vital. Both allelopathy and antibiosis are relationships that take place between two or more organisms. However, they respond to each other in different forms.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Allelopathy
3. What is Antibiosis
4. Similarities Between Allelopathy and Antibiosis
5. Side by Side Comparison – Allelopathy vs Antibiosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Allelopathy?
Allelopathy is the phenomenon in which organisms are capable of producing biochemicals called allelochemicals, which influence the germination, growth and survival of other organisms. They can either induce or inhibit the growth of other organisms. Thus, they can either be positive allelopathy or negative allelopathy. These allelochemicals are secondary metabolites that are byproducts of metabolism. Besides, the production of allelochemicals depends on the availability of nutrients, temperature, pH and availability of enzymes.
Figure 01: Allelopathy
Moreover, the allelopathic interactions are important for determining the species abundance and the distribution of the plants. Antibiosis is a type of negative allelopathy that inhibits the growth of another organism. Allelopathy can also induce the existence of an organism by acting as a symbiotic relationship.
What is Antibiosis?
Antibiosis is a type of biological interaction that takes place between two or more organisms. It is an antagonistic association in which one organism produces metabolic substances to inhibit the other organism. Moreover, secretion of antibiotics is a classic example of antibiosis. Antibiotics are secondary metabolites produced by organisms. Some examples are penicillin, ampicillin and erythromycin.
Figure 02: Antibiotic
Furthermore, antibiosis takes place in bacteria, fungi and protists. Some antibiosis reactions take place in insects and plants. Besides, antibiosis resistance is a major problem in the world where organisms have developed resistance against the particular organism. It also induces mortality or reduced longevity and reproduction of the insect.
What are the Similarities Between Allelopathy and Antibiosis?
- Allelopathy and antibiosis occur between two or more organisms.
- In both cases, one organism secretes biochemical substances that influence the other organism.
- Moreover, these biochemical secretions are secondary metabolites produced by organisms during their metabolism.
- Also, both phenomena result in the fulfilment of the nutritional requirement of an organism.
- Furthermore, they are used in the concepts of bio-control.
What is the Difference Between Allelopathy and Antibiosis?
Allelopathy and antibiosis primarily differ in their effect on the other organism. Allelopathy shows both positive and negative effects, thereby either inhibiting or inducing the survival of the other organism. However, antibiosis only has a negative effect on one organism: inhibiting its survival. So, this is the key difference between allelopathy and antibiosis.
The below infographic presents more information regarding the difference between allelopathy and antibiosis.
Summary – Allelopathy vs Antibiosis
Allelopathy and antibiosis are two phenomena based on nutritional requirements. Moreover, these relationships involve two or more organisms. One organism secretes biochemical substances that alter the growth and development of the other. In this regard, allelopathy may either induce or inhibit the growth of the second organism. In contrast, antibiosis involves antibiotics that inhibit the growth and the development of the other organism. So, this is the key difference between allelopathy and antibiosis. These relationships decide the survival of organisms and thus maintain the balance of eco-system.