Glomalin: A Key Indicator for Soil Carbon Stabilization

In the last decades, many studies were addressed focusing on soil protection that helps sequestration and stabilization of organic carbon in soil aggregates. Soil aggregates are an association of primary soil particles, bacteria, fungi, plant root and soil organic matter. Plant root provides a carbon source for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) present in soil aggregates. AMF produces a glycoprotein glomalin which is hydrophobic, insoluble, and recalcitrant in nature. Glomalin plays a vital role in the stabilization of soil aggregates. Greater stability of soil aggregates leads to a larger amount of protected organic carbon in the soil. Thus, glomalin-related soil protein can be considered as a potential contributor in the stabilization of soil organic carbon. In the present chapter, the different aspects of glomalin composition, production, role in soil, recalcitrant nature, potential role in soil carbon locking up and stabilization are summarized and discussed.