Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Soil Microbial Communities in a Pasture: A Case Study of <em>Bromus inermis</em> Pasture in Eastern Nebraska

Today’s intensified agricultural production is characterized by crop and pasture monocultures, which have a significant impact on soil microbial diversity and abundance. This chapter provides a case study in which the relative importance of brome grass (Bromus inermis) monoculture pasture versus intra-site microhabitat diversity is explored using fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) assay to delineate the presence and abundance of several classes of soil microbes instrumental in soil nutrient cycling, plant health, plant organic matter decomposition, and soil stabilization. The chapter explores spatio-temporal variability of bacteria, actinomycetes, saprophytes, mycorrhizae, and micro-eukaryotes over two durations (summer and fall) collected using two distinct sampling methods. One of the methods is commonly employed, namely, transect-based, while the other is informed by soil electroconductivity measurements conducted over the entire pasture site from a previous survey

Expression of the Arabidopsis WRINKLED 1 transcription factor leads to higher accumulation of palmitate in soybean seed

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a commodity crop highly valued for its protein and oil content. The high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil results in low oxidative stability, which is a key parameter for usage in baking, high temperature frying applications, and affects shelf life of packaged products containing soybean oil. Introduction of a seed-specific expression cassette carrying the Arabidopsis transcription factor WRINKLED1 (AtWRI1) into soybean, led to seed oil with levels of palmitate up to approximately 20%. Stacking of the AtWRI1 transgenic allele with a transgenic locus harbouring the mangosteen steroyl-ACP thioesterase (GmFatA) resulted in oil with total saturates up to 30%. The creation of a triple stack in soybean, wherein the AtWRI1 and GmFatA alleles were combined with a FAD2-1 silencing allele led to the synthesis of an oil with 28% saturates and approximately 60% oleate. Constructs were then assembled that carry a dual FAD2-1 silencing element/GmFatA expression cassette, alone or combined with an AtWRI1 cassette. These plasmids are designated pPTN1289 and pPTN1301, respectively. Transgenic events carrying the T-DNA of pPTN1289 displayed an oil with stearate levels between 18% and 25%, and oleate in the upper 60%, with reduced palmitate

Targeting Efficient Photosynthesis in Crops Through Genetic Engineering

The increasing demand for food, fiber, and bio-based industrial products will challenge agriculture production systems. To address this challenge to meet the expected future demand for agriculture production will require transformable innovations in both genetics and agronomic practices. Importantly the target of enhancing agricultural output is further confounded by climate change, and reduction of arable land. The overall goal of this research program was to use the tools of biotechnology with the aim to enhance and protect photosynthesis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L Moench) to mitigate the effects of abiotic stresses. The first strategy focused on the introduction of a putative inorganic carbon transporter B (ictB) from Synechococcus sp. and the sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) from tomato in sorghum. The two genes under the control of maize rbcs-1 promoter were introduced in sorghum via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation with ictB either targeted to the chloroplast or cytosol. Results from a subset transgenic events revealed a mitigation of photosynthesis compared to wild type under salt stress and during rehydration following water deficit in events with cytosolic targeted ictB. The second path, an evaluation of the Miscanthus X giganteus PPDK3 and PPDK4 promoter elements with and without their respective first introns was conducted via monitoring of the visual marker gene β-glucoronidase (GUS) in sorghum. Analysis of transgenic events revealed that the two promoter elements when directly fused to the reporter gene are incapable of driving the expression of GUS while a more constitutive expression profile was achieved when their respective introns are included. Additionally, cold induction of PPDK4 promoter was noted when a set of events derived from PPDK4-ppdk4::GUS were exposed to chilling temperature. Our findings add to the tool box of synthetic biology for improvement of targeted crop traits that can be imparted to mitigate the impacts of environmental stresses towards improved crop productivity

Jornadas de autoformación docente para mejorar la práctica pedagógica para desarrollar las competencias matemáticas en la I.E.I. Nº 140 “Virgen de la Merced”

Trabajo académicoEl presente plan de acción “Jornadas de autoformación docente para mejorar la práctica pedagógica para desarrollar las competencias matemáticas en la I.E.I. n.º 140 “Virgen de la Merced” se ha elaborado a partir de la problemática se observó las actas de evaluación final de los estudiantes, se diseñó y aplicó un cuestionario a todas las docentes, respecto a los conocimientos de las nociones básicas de la didáctica matemática en el nivel inicial, Así mismo, se aplicó una encuesta a un grupo de 50 padres de familia con la finalidad de identificar su percepción sobre el aprendizaje de la matemática de sus niños y la convivencia familiar hallándose en el diagnóstico practicas inadecuadas en el proceso pedagógicos y en los procesos didácticos para la enseñanza de la matemática. Ante este diagnóstico se propone mejorar las prácticas pedagógicas en los procesos didácticos para la enseñanza de la matemática y el monitoreo y acompañamiento por parte del directivo siendo pieza fundamental en la gestión escolar centrado en los aprendizajes, porque permite la detección, la toma de decisión oportuna de acciones y la integración de los docentes en el compromiso de alcanzar metas comunes y personales en la práctica pedagógica. En el marco del Manual de Gestión Escolar MINEDU (2015) le define claramente al Director, cuales son las rutas para el logro de compromisos de gestión , señalando al monitoreo como un proceso organizado que permite identificar logros y dificultades presentados en la observación de la ejecución de actividades programadas, para ello se ha diseñado la propuesta acción que plantean las diferentes actividades vinculadas al logro de los objetivos propuestos

Expression of the Arabidopsis WRINKLED 1 transcription factor leads to higher accumulation of palmitate in soybean seed

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is a commodity crop highly valued for its protein and oil content. The high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil results in low oxidative stability, which is a key parameter for usage in baking, high temperature frying applications, and affects shelf life of packaged products containing soybean oil. Introduction of a seed-specific expression cassette carrying the Arabidopsis transcription factor WRINKLED1 (AtWRI1) into soybean, led to seed oil with levels of palmitate up to approximately 20%. Stacking of the AtWRI1 transgenic allele with a transgenic locus harbouring the mangosteen steroyl-ACP thioesterase (GmFatA) resulted in oil with total saturates up to 30%. The creation of a triple stack in soybean, wherein the AtWRI1 and GmFatA alleles were combined with a FAD2-1 silencing allele led to the synthesis of an oil with 28% saturates and approximately 60% oleate. Constructs were then assembled that carry a dual FAD2-1 silencing element/GmFatA expression cassette, alone or combined with an AtWRI1 cassette. These plasmids are designated pPTN1289 and pPTN1301, respectively. Transgenic events carrying the T-DNA of pPTN1289 displayed an oil with stearate levels between 18% and 25%, and oleate in the upper 60%, with reduced palmitate