The assessment of the impact of agri-management on the microbial activities related to C sequestration was undertaken using two contrasting long term (2003-2020) agricultural managements in the rice-wheat rotation. The aim was to assess the role of microbial glycoproteins for carbon sequestration in agricultural soil, Soil microorganisms are key agents determining the fate of soil C and aid in its sequestration. This study evaluated the impact of agricultural management on microbial activities related to carbon sequestration in the rice-wheat rotation. The organic management approach involved a combination of farmyard manure, vermicompost, and biofertilizers, which resulted in significantly higher melanin and chitin content in the top 30 cm of soil. The results suggest that this approach has the potential to increase the soil labile carbon fraction. Additionally, the long-term conservation agriculture experiments showed that zero-tilled soils had higher fungal metabolites and precursors of recalcitrant carbon, indicating the potential for carbon sequestration. However, the effectiveness of using fungal glycoproteins for carbon sequestration in agricultural soils poses several challenges. One of the main challenges is the efficiency of the process, as sequestering carbon using fungal glycoproteins can be slow and require a significant amount of time. Another challenge is the varying effectiveness depending on soil type and environmental conditions. The cost of producing and applying glycoproteins is also a significant factor to consider. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of microbial glycoproteins for carbon sequestration and to develop more efficient and cost-effective methods for their use in agricultural soils. Overall, the findings suggest that agricultural management practices can significantly impact soil microbial activities and carbon sequestration potential, and highlight the importance of sustainable management practices in mitigating climate change.

Conservation agriculture, Soil carbon sequestration, Soil microbial indices, Microbial metabolites, Precursors of recalcitrant C

Relation between fungal C mineralization and specific concentration of fungal metabolites (Glycoproteins, Chitins) in the soil C sequestration process, soil carbon stocks of agricultural land are experiencing a continuance declining trend. In order to meet the eve growing demand for food and simultaneously reduce carbon losses / increase soil carbon storage alternative agricultural methods are being adopted. In this direction, the organic agriculture and the conservation agriculture practices are reported to improve natural resource use efficiency and gaining popularity globally. The key practices of organic agriculture, are focussed on closed nutrient cycles by recycling plant residues and manures from livestock back to soil thereby significantly reducing the soil carbon losses or even to higher soil carbon concentrations and net carbon sequestration over time. Another approach, the conservation agriculture also relies on the input of crop residues as surface mulch, rotation of crops and minimum or no disturbance of soil by avoiding tillage, agricultural management play a critical role in plant -microbe interaction.

Manoj M., B.S. Dhakad, Geeta Singh and Jayasurya Anegundi (2022). Study of Fungal Glycoproteins Contributing to Soil Carbon Pool in Conservation and Organic Agriculture. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(3): 1694-1701.