Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophs that form close associations with the roots of host plants, extending their root system and affecting plant physiology and communities. The extraradical hyphae of AMF produce glomalin, an adhesive and stable glycoprotein that is extracted from the soil in fractions such as TG (total glomalin) or EEG (easily extractable glomalin). Since the extraction process of glomalin also extracts other types of compounds, the term GRSP (glomalin-related soil protein) is used. When GRSP is quantified using the Bradford method, it is referred to as BRSP (Bradford-reactive soil protein). In the semi-arid subregion of Caldenal, Argentina, the conversion of native forests to agricultural grazing plots has been significant, with few studies on soil microbiology. This study evaluated the influence of seasonality and land use on BRSP concentration. The selected land uses were native forest (dominated by Neltuma caldenia), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), and soybean (Glycine max). The analyses showed no significant differences in BRSP concentration between seasons (winter vs. summer). However, there were significant differences in BRSP concentrations across different land uses during the summer. Soybean plots had the lowest BRSP concentration, with significant differences compared to weeping lovegrass and forest, with the forest showing the highest BRSP values. Additionally, no significant differences were found between alfalfa and the other land uses. The main factors influencing BRSP concentration are vegetation diversity, intensity of agricultural activity, and differences in AMF diversity, as different AMF taxa vary in their allocation of resources to glomalin production. The results suggest that land use change affects BRSP concentration in the Caldenal subregion, highlighting the importance of this protein in soil stability and erosion prevention.
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Evaluating glomalin variability in the semi-arid Region of Caldenal: effects of seasonality and land use
Published:
14 October 2024
by MDPI
in The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Diversity
session Microbial Diversity and Culture Collections
Abstract:
Keywords: mycorrhiza; glomalin; Caldenal; Argentina; land use