Gulnar Ultanbekova

Heavy metal (HM) contamination in urban soils is a pressing global issue, particularly in rapidly industrializing regions like Kazakhstan, where anthropogenic activities such as transportation, energy production, and manufacturing exacerbate accumulation in ecosystems. In Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, urban expansion and legacy pollution pose risks to soil functions, biodiversity, and public health through bioaccumulation and migration pathways. This study evaluates the spatial distribution and ecological impacts of total heavy metal concentrations (HMs) (Pb, Cd, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mo, Mn) in Almaty’s soils to inform remediation strategies. Soil samples (n = 73) were collected using a systematic grid sampling method across urban, industrial, and peri-urban zones in Almaty. HM concentrations were determined via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) following GOST 33850-2016 standards. Pollution indices (contamination factor K_c and integrated pollution index Z_c) were calculated relative to Kazakhstani permissible limits (PDK RK) and Russian approximate permissible concentrations (ODK RF). Statistical analyses included Spearman’s correlation, boxplots, and coefficient of variation. Morphological, physicochemical (pH, humus content), and biological assessments evaluated degradation. Spatial interpolation via GIS mapped the hotspots. HM distributions showed significant variability, with As, Zn, and Ni exceeding norms in >90% of samples (median K_c ≈ 5 for As). Z_c classified >70% of sites as hazardous or extremely hazardous (Z_c > 32), with hotspots in central-eastern districts (Z_c 90–145). Strong correlations (ρ ≥ 0.6) identified a technogenic group (Pb–Zn–Cu–Ni) from traffic and industry, contrasting predominantly geogenic elements with possible anthropogenic contribution (As–Co–Mo–Mn). Pollution induced soil compaction, reduced humus/pH, and disrupting biogeochemical cycles. Local exceedances were noted near TECs, factories, and transport hubs. Almaty’s soils exhibit pervasive technogenic HM pollution, driven by urban sources, leading to ecosystem degradation and health risks. Future research should incorporate vertical profiling and isotopic sourcing for refined risk models. Prioritized monitoring and phytoremediation in hotspots are recommended to enhance resilience, aligning with UN SDGs for sustainable cities and ecosystems. Future research should incorporate vertical profiling and isotopic sourcing for refined risk models.

Maize production in semi–arid irrigated systems depends on soil fertility and an active rhizosphere. We hypothesized that vermiculite enriched with humic substances (HS) or Chlorella vulgaris (CV) would outperform vermiculite alone by improving soil fertility, maize nutrition, and rhizosphere-associated microbial indicators. A field experiment was conducted in southern Kazakhstan under medium–loam sierozem using a randomized block design with three replicates and seven treatments: control, vermiculite at 1 and 2 t ha⁻¹, vermiculite + HS at 1 and 2 t ha⁻¹, and vermiculite + CV at 1 and 2 t ha⁻¹. Amendments were incorporated before sowing, and soil, plant, and microbial measurements were taken before sowing, at V6–V8, and after harvest. Compared with the control, all amendments improved early maize growth, leaf area development, biomass accumulation, and nutrient status, and increased grain yield. The strongest response was obtained with vermiculite + HS at 2 t ha⁻¹, which increased grain yield from 6.48 to 10.24 t ha⁻¹ (+58%). Microbial indicators differed between bulk soil and the rhizosphere, while Pearson correlation and PCA revealed coordinated soil–plant–microbe responses and productivity–linked variables across treatments. Taken together, these results indicate that enriched vermiculite, especially HS–enriched vermiculite at 2 t ha⁻¹, is a promising amendment for improving maize productivity and rhizosphere functioning in semi–arid irrigated systems.

The rhizosphere of medicinal plants represents a reservoir of culturable bacteria with potential value for plant protection and biotechnology. In this study, we characterized the culturable rhizosphere bacterial community associated with Alcea nudiflora (Lindl.) Boiss. collected from three sites in the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Rhizosphere microorganisms were isolated using tenfold serial dilutions followed by plating on meat-peptone agar and oatmeal agar, purified by streaking, and phenotypically characterized by colony morphology, Gram staining, and motility assays. Nineteen morphologically distinct isolates were recovered and grouped into four morphotypes: Streptomyces-like actinomycetes, Bacillus-like spore-forming rods, coryneform bacteria, and coccoid forms. All isolates showed a Gram-positive reaction. Antagonistic activity was screened using agar well diffusion, disk diffusion, and agar block assays against test microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, C. utilis, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium chrysogenum). Several isolates exhibited broad or target-specific antagonism, including strains 5/1 (balanced antibacterial and antifungal activity), 4/7 and 7/1 (anti-staphylococcal activity), 9/3 and 8/2 (antifungal activity, including against Candida spp.), and 1/2 (specific activity against A. niger). Overall, these results provide a baseline characterization of the culturable rhizosphere bacteria associated with Alcea nudiflora (Lindl.) Boiss. in this region and identify candidate isolates for molecular identification and plant-focused validation.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a key crop in Kazakhstan, yet its productivity is constrained by saline-alkaline soils, which affect approximately 41% of the nation’s arable land. Conventional soil remediation methods are often unsustainable and economically impractical. This study investigates the potential of Bacillus megaterium PEF-1, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) isolated from cotton rhizospheres in the Turkestan region, as a biofertilizer for saline-alkaline conditions. The strain demonstrated high tolerance to salinity (up to 10% NaCl), alkalinity (pH 9.0), and heavy metals, and produced significant levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 895 mg/L in vitro). Field trials with seed inoculation (10⁹ CFU/mL) showed marked improvements in cotton growth, including increases in plant height (18%), boll number (22%), and yield (25%) relative to controls. Soil analyses revealed enhanced nutrient availability in treated plots: nitrogen (+ 4.3%), phosphorus (+ 15.1%), potassium (+ 26.8%), and humus content (+ 29.3%). Stress mitigation was achieved through ACC deaminase-mediated ethylene reduction and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-driven reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Acute toxicity tests, conducted in accordance with OECD guidelines, confirmed the strain’s biosafety with no adverse effects in mammalian models. Bacillus megaterium PEF-1 exhibits strong potential as a sustainable biofertilizer for improving cotton yields and soil fertility under saline-alkaline stress. Its capacity for nutrient mobilization, phytohormone synthesis, and abiotic stress alleviation aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 15 (Life on Land), offering a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers for arid and degraded agroecosystems.

Background: This study focuses on the agrochemical properties of soils and microbial communities in the rhizosphere of the narrowly endemic species Rosa potentilliflora in the mountain ecosystems of the Zailiyskiy Alatau (Kazakhstan). The goal was to evaluate the influence of soil conditions on the composition and activity of rhizosphere microbiomes, as well as to identify key factors shaping their biodiversity. The study examined three distinct locations: Shilisai gorge, Syugaty massif, and Turgen gorge, which differ in altitude, vegetation cover, and soil proporties. Methods: The research involved analyzing agrochemical parameters such as humus content, pH, and mineral compounds (bicarbonates and sulfates). Microbiological analysis was conducted to assess the microbial population, focusing on nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter spp.) and actinomycetes (Coerulescens, Ruber). The study also explored the correlation between humus content and the abundance of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. The microbial density was quantified in terms of colony-forming units (CFU) per gram of soil. Results: The agrochemical analysis revealed significant differences in humus content (2.08–12.9%), pH (6.97–8.93), and mineral composition. The microbiological analysis indicated high microbial populations (ranging from 2.3 × 10⁶ to 3.3 × 10⁷ CFU/g), with nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter spp. dominating (80–94%) and the presence of actinomycetes (Coerulescens, Ruber). A positive correlation was found between humus content and the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (r = 0.82, p < 0.01), highlighting the importance of organic matter for sustaining microbial activity in the rhizosphere. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the adaptive potential of Rosa potentilliflora to extreme conditions in mountain ecosystems and its significant role in forming unique microbial communities. The actinomycete strains identified show considerable biotechnological potential, opening opportunities for the development of bioproducts and sustainable land management strategies. The findings contribute to the understanding of ecological interactions in the rhizosphere of rare plant species and can be applied to biodiversity conservation in Kazakhstan’s mountain ecosystems.

The study examined the effect of salt tolerant halophilic microorganisms isolated from irrigated salinesoils of the Turkestan region on the growth and development of corn crops. Our goal was to study theeffect of seed inoculation and foliar feeding of the strain Bacillus sp. ПК-1 for the growth and development of corn in irrigated saline soils of the Turkestan region. Cultivation of the strain Bacillus sp. ПК-1was carried out on a medium MPA (meat peptonic agar) (50.0 g/l NaCl, pH 7.1) circular rocking 220 rpmat a temperature of 280C for 72 hours. It was established that pre-sowing treatment of corn seeds withculture liquid Bacillus sp. ПК-1 increases germination by 15-35 %. Double foliar feeding of maize plantsenhances the growth and development of plants twice, increases the biomass of roots by 50 %. Thus, ourresearch has shown that the strain Bacillus sp. ПК-1 may be promising for the creation of a new biological product based on native halophilic bacteria for seed inoculation and foliar feeding for the growth anddevelopment of maize in irrigated saline soils of Turkestan region.Key words: corn for grain, salt-resistant microorganisms, PGPR bacteria, Bacillus, growth-stimulatingactivity.

Our research work is aimed at developing effective technologies for the use of Bioorganicfertilizers in forest nurseries of the Aksaу branch of RSI “Ile-Alatau state national natural Park”. The scientific novelty of this article, for the first time stabilized the technology of bioorganic fertilizers in thecultivation of seedlings of tree plants and seedlings of forest nurseries of the Aksai branch of the RSI “IleAlatau State National Natural Park”. The quantitative composition of the main ecological-trophic groupsof soil microorganisms of the upper and lower forest nurseries of the Aksai branch of RSU” Ile-Alataustate national natural Park “ has stabilized.Purpose of research – study of the technology of using bioorganic fertilizers for forest nurseries of theAksay branch of the RSI “Ile-Alatau State National Natural Park”.As a result of the study, it turned out that the length of apricot growth (Prunus armeniaca) in theundergrowth phase increased by 25% in the form of treatment with the PGPR «BioEcoGum» preparation compared to the control form, and increased by 37% in the phase of mass opening of leaves. The growthlength of Sivers apples (Malus sieversii) in the phase of sprout formation compared with the control formshowed an increase in the form of treatment with «BioEcoGum» PGPR by 32.0%, with a leaf openingphase of 29%.Key words: bioorganic preparation, PGPR bacterium, Microbiology, soil, humus. Аңдатпа. Бiздiң зepттeу жұмысымыз «Iлe-Алатау мeмлeкeттiк Ұлттық табиғи паpкi» PММ Ақсайфилиалының оpман тұқымбақтаpында биооpганикалық тыңайтқыштаpды қолданудың тиiмдiтeхнологиясын әзipлeугe бағытталған. Бұл мақаламыздың ғылыми жаңалығы, алғашқы peт «IлeАлатау мeмлeкeттiк ұлттық табиғи паpкi» PММ Ақсай филиалының оpман тұқымбақтаpына ағашөсiмдiктepiнiң eкпe көшeттepi мeн көшeттepдi өсipу кeзiндe биооpганикалық тыңайтқыштаpдыңтиiмдi тeхнологиясы тұpақталды.Зepттeу жұмысымыздың мақсаты – «Iлe-Алатау мeмлeкeттiк ұлттық табиғи паpкi» PММ Ақсайфилиалының оpман тұқымбақтаpына биооpганикалық тыңайтқыштаpды қолдану тeхнологиясынзepттeу.«Iлe-Алатау мeмлeкeттiк ұлттық табиғи паpкi» PММ Ақсай филиалының жоғаpғы жәнe төмeнгiоpман тұқымбақтаpының топыpақ микpооpганизмдepiнiң нeгiзгi экологиялық-тpофикалықтоптаpының сандық құpамы әpтүpлi eкeндiгi тұpақталды. Зepттeу нәтижeсiндe кәдiмгi өpiктiң(Prunus armeniaca) бойының ұзындығы өскiндepдiң пайда болу фазасында бақылау нысанымeнсалыстыpғанда «БиоЭкоГум» PGPR пpeпаpатымeн өңдeгeн нысанында 25 %, жапыpақтаpдыңжаппай ашылу фазасы кeзiндe 37 % аpтқаны анықталды. Сивepс (Malus sieversii) алмасыныңбойының ұзындығы өскiндepдiң пайда болу фазасында бақылау нысанымeн салыстыpғанда«БиоЭкоГум» PGPR пpeпаpатымeн өңдeгeн нысанында 32,0 %, жапыpақтаpдың жаппай ашылуфазасы кeзiндe алманың бойының ұзындығы 29 % аpтқаны байқалды.Түйін сөздep: биооpганикалық пpeпаpат, PGPR бактepия, микpобиология, топыpақ,қаpашipiндi. Наша исслeдоватeльская pабота напpавлeна на pазpаботку эффeктивныхтeхнологий пpимeнeния биооpганичeского удобpeния в лeсных питомниках Аксайского филиалаPГУ «Илe-Алатауский госудаpствeнный национальный пpиpодный паpк». Научная новизнаданной статьи – впepвыe pазpаботана эффeктивная тeхнология пpимeнeния биооpганичeскихудобpeний в лeсных питомниках Аксайского филиала PГУ «Илe-Алатауский госудаpствeнныйнациональный пpиpодный паpк».Цeль исслeдоватeльской pаботы – изучeниe тeхнологии пpимeнeния биооpганичeскихудобpeний для лeсных питомников Аксайского филиала PГУ «Илe-Алатауский госудаpствeнныйнациональный пpиpодный паpк».Установлeно, количeствeнный состав основных эколого-тpофичeских гpупп почвeнныхмикpооpганизмов вepхних и нижних лeсных питомников Аксайского филиала PГУ» Илe-Алатаускийгосудаpствeнный национальный пpиpодный паpк». В peзультатe исслeдования выяснилось,что длина pоста абpикоса (Prunus armeniaca) в фазe обpазования подpоста послe пpимeнeниябиооpганичeского удобpeния «БиоЭкоГум» PGPR по сpавнeнию с контpольным ваpиантомувeличилась на 25%, в фазe массового вскpытия листьeв увeличилась на 37%. Длина pостаяблок Сивepс (Malus sieversii)...