Abstract
Plant remains are an important component of the ecosystem and a source of organic matter for soils, playing a key role in the carbon cycle and the formation of humus. In the conditions of the Turkestan region, characterized by an arid climate, the study of the microbial diversity of plant residues is especially important for assessing the decomposition processes of cellulose and polysaccharides. The aim of the study was to study the composition of cellulolytic microorganisms in plant residues and to assess their functional potential for biotechnological applications. The main areas of work included the isolation of bacteria and fungi, their morphological and quantitative characteristics, identification by the MALDI-TOF method, as well as analysis of their role in the decomposition of cellulose and the formation of soil humus. The scientific significance of the study lies in clarifying the structure of the microbial community of the plant remains of the arid region and identifying species with high enzymatic activity, which expands knowledge about cellulolytic bacteria and fungi. The practical significance of the work lies in using the data obtained to develop biotechnological approaches for processing plant residues and increasing soil fertility. The methodology used was the isolation of microorganisms on standard nutrient media, morphological assessment of colonies, quantitative determination in CFU/g, as well as species identification of bacteria and fungi by the MALDI-TOF method, which ensured high accuracy in the determination of microorganisms. The bacteria Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, and Acinetobacter lwoffii were isolated during the study. Bacillus spp. they provide the primary destruction of fiber and polysaccharides, fungi participate in the decomposition of more structured cellulose and lignin, and Acinetobacter lwoffii processes decomposition byproducts and supports the functional diversity of the microbial community. The study has contributed to the understanding of the functional diversity of cellulolytic microorganisms in arid ecosystems and highlighted their role in biotechnology. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of creating enzyme preparations, bioconversion of agricultural waste and the development of biofertilizers that contribute to the sustainable development of the agroecological systems of the region.