Glomalin: A Miracle Protein for Carbon Sequestration
Garima Dahiya
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.
K. K. Bhardwaj
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.
Isha Ahlawat *
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.
Charan Singh
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.
Sonia Devi
Division of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India.
Shital Kumar
Department of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110012, India.
Sumit Bhardwaj
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, Haryana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
AMF (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi)’s hyphae and spore walls releases a special kind of glycoprotein i.e. Glomalin. AMF belongs to the phylem Glomeromycota which was previously known as Zygomycota. There exists a symbiotic relationship of this fungi with terrestrial plants (~80%), that includes major commercial species viz. wheat, sorghum, corn, and forage species. AMF strongly binds and firmly hold the walls of hyphae and spores. On decomposition of hyphae, glomalin is released in soil. Glomalin depicts recalcitrant behavior and hydrophobic characteristics, and hence prevent the loss of water and nutrients from hyphae (ERM). It can remain as such in soil for years. It’s half-life in soil can vary from 6-42 years thus placing it in the category of stable biomolecules. Glomalin Related Soil Protein (GRSP) is quite abundant in wide range of soil The GSRP were found in relative abundance in a wide range of soils (2-15 mg g-1), whether it is acid or calcareous or under various crops, such as cereals, vegetables, forage, and agroforestry systems. It plays a significant role in enhancing the soil organic carbon as it acts as an effective carbon sink. It possess strong cementing ability and hence binds the aggregates to enhance structural stability and prevent loss of carbon and nitrogen. GRSP positively correlates with the carbon present in soil.
Keywords: Aggregates, AMF, correlation, GRSP, structural stability