ItemBook Chapter

Quorum quenching for biocontrol of plant diseases

Title
Quorum quenching for biocontrol of plant diseases
Creator
Jadhav, Vikram; Pardeshi, Shaktising; More, Bhagyashri; Merugu, Ramchander; Mayegowda, Shilpa Borehalli
Description
Bacterial pathogens have become a significant threat to world agriculture, causing tremendous crop losses and economic instability. The traditional mode of disease control by chemical pesticides is quickly becoming obsolete with resistant strains and environmental issues. Quorum quenching (QQ) is thus a promising alternative that is sustainable enough to target the bacterial communication system known as quorum sensing (QS). QS enables bacteria to coordinate their virulence factors, biofilm formation, and host colonization according to population density. Attenuating bacterial virulence is achieved through QQ by enzymatic degradation, signal molecule mimicry, or inactivation of autoinducers but without directly killing the pathogens, thereby not allowing resistance. This chapter describes the mechanism of QQ and several applications of this principle in controlling plant diseases through biocontrol agents. Enzymatic hydrolysis catalyzed by lactonases, acylases, and oxidoreductases inactivate autoinducers that include acyl-homoserine lactones and autoinducer-2 (AI-2). Mimicry of QS signal molecules is through synthetic or natural analogs that competitively inhibit QS receptors; sequestration occurs when autoinducers are captured to avert their involvement in QS. QQ is quite efficient in the lab and the field, both as microbial biocontrol agents against the pathogens Pectobacterium carotovorum and Xanthomonas campestris, as well as in transgenic plants expressing QQ enzymes. QQ still faces challenges in developing resistance, delivering QQ enzymes, and integrating with integrated pest management strategies. Future research could be concentrated on optimizing QQ strategies, designing new enzymes with better stability and specificity, and assessing the environmental impact of QQ-based biocontrol. Breakthroughs in synthetic biology and protein engineering would give way to new opportunities in the form of more potent biocontrol agents. The method of disease control in an environment-friendly manner and ensuring food security across the globe will be targeted by overcoming the challenges and through novel research with QQ-based biocontrol. 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Source
Harnessing Quorum Quenching for Disease Management;pp.201-224
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Elsevier
Subject
bacterial pathogens; biocontrol; plant diseases; Quorum quenching; quorum sensing
Coverage
Jadhav V., Department of Chemistry, K. K. Wagh Arts. Science and Commerce College Pimpalgaon (B), Maharashtra, Nashik, India; Pardeshi S., Karmaveer Punjababa Goverdhane Arts, Commerce, and Science College Igatpuri, Maharashtra, Nashik, India; More B., Camp Education Society's, Dr. Arvind B. Telang Senior College Arts, Commerce and Science, Pradhikaran Nigdi, Maharashtra, Pune, India; Merugu R., Department of Biochemistry, Mahatma Gandhi University, Telengana, Nalgonda, India; Mayegowda S.B., Department of Psychology, CHRIST University, Kengeri Campus, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISBN: 978-044334178-6; 978-044334179-3;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Book chapter

Citation

Jadhav, Vikram; Pardeshi, Shaktising; More, Bhagyashri; Merugu, Ramchander; Mayegowda, Shilpa Borehalli, “Quorum quenching for biocontrol of plant diseases,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/24243.

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