Abstract
Bacteria use the language of low-molecular-weight ligands to assess their population densities in a process called quorum sensing (QS). Different types of quorum sensing pathways are present in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Signal molecules most commonly used in Gram-negative bacteria are acyl homoserine lactones. In recent years, a substantial amount of literature and data have been available on bacterial QS. Recently, interest in modulation of quorum sensing with different approaches has increased among scientific communities. In this chapter, we provide an updated overview on bacterial QS, assays and methods for detecting signal molecules, and various approaches to inhibit AHL-based quorum sensing. Significance of QS interference by prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in relation to plant health and the environment is discussed here.