MICROBIAL COMMUNITY IN SALINE SOILS OF COTTON FIELDS IN KASHKADARYA REGION

The microbial communities within soil layers (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) of cotton fields at the "Yuksalish" MFY farm, Nishon district, Kashkadarya region, were analyzed. Microbiological analysis revealed low populations of microorganisms from the main physiological groups, with some groups entirely absent. Ammonifying bacteria were significantly more abundant in the 20-30 cm layer (1.5 × 10⁵ CFU/g) compared to upper layers, whereas oligonitrophilic microorganisms were less prevalent (4.5×10³ CFU/g) in this layer. Fungi belonging to Aspergillus and Fusarium genera were observed in soil layers of 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm.