Glomalin-Related Soil Protein (GRSP) Influences Fungal Growth in Modified Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) Medium

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), produced predominantly by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plays a crucial role in enhancing soil health by improving aggregation, nutrient retention, and carbon sequestration. This study investigates the potential of exogenously applied GRSP, specifically Easily Extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) and Total GRSP (T-GRSP), in promoting fungal growth using modified Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media. The experiment examined the effects of GRSP on the growth of Fusarium solani over seven days. Initial observations showed that EE-GRSP slightly stimulated fungal growth (+2.86%), while T-GRSP exhibited a mild inhibitory effect (-5.71%). By day 7, both treatments significantly enhanced fungal growth, with EE-GRSP and T-GRSP increasing growth by 11.67% and 15.00%, respectively, compared to the control. These results highlight GRSP’s potential as a fungal growth stimulant, underlining its ecological and agricultural significance. Further research is recommended to explore GRSP’s mechanisms and optimize its application in sustainable soil and fungal management systems.