Effects of soil salinity on the content, composition, and ion binding capacity of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP)

Soil aggregation, an ecosystem function correlated with the concentration of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), is highly disturbed in saline soil. However, few studies have focused on differences in amount, composition, and ion binding capacity of GRSP in typical sodic-saline soils. In this study, a field study was performed in Songnen Plain. Combined indicators of soil salinity (Q value) were significant negatively correlated with GRSP concentration by Principal Component Analysis. Multiple linear regression models showed that soil salinity might account for 46%, 25% and 44% variation in total GRSP (T-GRSP), easily-extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) and difficultly-extractable GRSP (DE-GRSP), respectively. Soil bulk density had most important impact on GRSP concentration, followed by the pH, soil EC had the weak influence. Comparative analysis was carried out between low-salinity and high-salinity soil. Purified T-GRSP of high-saline soil contained higher N content (13.13%), lower C content (43.41%) and lower functional groups relative content (e.g. CO and SiOSi). Purified T-GRSP of high-salinity soil had a greater binding capacity with calcium and phosphorus, the binding capacity could compensate the GRSP loss about 29.8% and 14.1%, respectively. Our findings suggested that sodic salinization of the soil led to a decrease in GRSP concentration and a change in the component percentages. This change in composition might be related to adaptation of fungi-plant systems to varied environments. The calcium and phosphorus binding capacity had a positive dependent of soil salinization, which was possible to develop ecological management or recovery technology in the future.