Little Known Glomalin, a Key Protein in Soils
by Elio
If you had heard of glomalin, you are a better person than I am. Until a couple of months ago I wasn't aware of its existence, which is close to sinful: it happens to be a very abundant protein in the soil rhizosphere, playing a key role in the soil's mechanical properties and as repository of soil carbon. Glomalin is a glycoprotein (although the "glyco-" may be overused here, as biochemical analyses suggest that it contains little in the way of sugars) that binds together silt, sand, or clay soil particles.
A visible portion of the rhizosphere. Source
By 'supergluing' the small, loose particles, this gooey protein makes larger granules or aggregates and protect the soils from the eroding forces of winds and water. So, where does glomalin come from? It is thought to be made by fungi, more specifically by members of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, the Glomales (hence the name 'glomalin'). The hyphae of these fungi synthesize glomalin as part of their stress response. They coat their outer surface with the protein to make a protective waxy coat that keeps the water and nutrients inside the cells. The glomalin coating also makes the fungal strings sticky so they bind soil particles, thus creating an protective 'armor' against environmental insults and microbial predators. Most importantly, the fungal "string bags" make soil aggregates. This improves water infiltration and retention in the soils and gas exchange, which makes them more fertile. For more information on glomalin click here.
Filaments and spores of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus stained with fluorescent antibodies against glomalin. Photo by Sarah Wright. Source
Some interesting facts about glomalin hint already at its global significance. Glomalin can contribute to as much as 27% of the soil carbon, especially in the temperate zone. By gluing soil particles together, this protein also helps retain other carbon-containing compounds and protects them from decomposing as well. Glomalin easily beats out humic acids, the soluble and insoluble organic substances generated during plant decay that were thought to be the main contributors to soil carbon. It is also extremely tough, lasting an estimated 7 to 42 years, depending on soil conditions. Glomalin was first isolated as recently as 1996 by Sara Wright, a chemist at USDA's Agricultural Research Service. To extract it, she had to heat the soil at 121°C for one hour at a pH of 8.0. This separate d the glomalin from other gunky material in the soil . But "milder" conditions, using SDS and phenol at room temperature, can now be used. For an article on glomalin chemistry, click here.
The aggregating effect of glomalin improves the soil fertility, so farmers test the soil texture or "tilth" with their hands. Source
Finally, glomalin is what gives soils their physical condition, what farmers call its "tilth " (aka, the "feel" that experienced farmers look for when letting soil flow through their fingers). And although studies on glomalin are in their infancy, there is compelling evidence that it plays a role in enhancing agricultural productivity. It is also a major carbon sink, so we need to start talking about it when discussing global climate change. Time we learned more about it, right?
Lovely work, Elio! This really makes me wonder about the people who want to grow plants in the soil of other planets—the amendments necessary may be more complex than we would normally envision.
Soil microbiology is fascinating. In my microbiology course, I enjoy having students sniff plates of Streptomyces. At least one of them will exclaim that it smells like dirt. "No so!," I reply. "Dirt smells like Streptomyces."
Honestly, microbes are at the center of everything. And how much time do we spend in the undergraduate curriculum on the topic? Sigh.
From a person to a planet, it's the little known small things that matter. I've been reading Tom Lovejoy and Allan Savory on restoring the soil to help solve carbon sequestration. Altering terrain has unhealthful consequences for human health and survival on a once bountiful planet. Love the symmetry. Thanks for this very interesting read.
Is there some sort of "extracellular soil proteome" published?
Thanks for the interesting post.
Hi Elio, don't feel bad about not knowing much, or indeed, anything about glomalin. I retired from medical practice and started ranching cattle in my retirement. As a physician, if I am to be effective, It is mandatory to understand the anatomy and physiology of the human body. As a manager of grasslands I felt it was mandatory to at least understand how nature works. I was fortunate to be mentored by a soil scientist from a local university, who included glomalin in my Soil Science Crash Course. Lucky me. Since then I have found that no one knows anything about this amazing glycoprotein. Its amazing to me that with all the argument about CO2 and climate change, noone cares about Glomalin. Sara Wright showed that increasing atmospheric CO2 dramatically increased mycorrhizal fungi and therefore the laying down of glomalin. Good to read your blog.
Humic acid has strong function to stabilize nitrogen and slow release them to increase the efficiency, also could reaction with Al+, Fe+ such metal iron to release Phosphorus ion the soil to convert them into the form of adoptable for plants. this link: http://www.greenagrosource.com/humic-acid-coating-with-macro-elements-and-formulated-with-microelements.html