Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184516
Title: PATTERNS OF RECOVERY OF BRADFORD TOTAL PROTEIN (GLOMALIN) FROM APPALACHIAN SOILS: EFFECTS OF LAND USE, DEPTH AND EXTRACTION REAGENT

Author
item Halvorson, Jonathan
item Gonzalez, Javier

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/12/2005
Publication Date: 6/15/2005
Citation: Halvorson, J.J., Gonzalez, J.M. 2005. Patterns of Recovery of Bradford Total Protein (glomalin) from Appalachian Soils: Effects of Land Use, Depth and Extraction Reagent (poster abstract). Page 46 In Abstracts of the EMSI/North Central NOM Workshop, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, June 15-17, 2005.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Total protein, determined by the Bradford assay is thought to represent glomalin, an important soil glycoprotein related to aggregation and soil carbon storage. We measured Bradford reactive protein (BRP) in soil from pastures, hayfields, cultivated fields or natural areas in southwestern West Virginia. We found highest concentrations of BRP near the soil surface, decreasing significantly with depth. Soil from natural areas contained highest concentrations of BRP compared to pastures, hayfields, or cultivated fields. Extracting soil with several different reagents indicated differences in BRP recovery efficiency possibly related to net electrical charge of the extractant and more apparent in cultivated soils than in "natural" areas. Formation of dark-colored substances during extraction suggests the Bradford assay may overestimate soil protein when tannins are present in the sample. Recovery of less soluable-N and lower E4/E6 ratios suggest tannins may form non-extractable N-containing complexes.