@Article{phyton.2025.059315,
AUTHOR = {Wenqi Shi, Binyameen Bin Shafqat, Muhammad Arif, Ayesha Fazal Nawaz, Muhammad Amir Zia, Xu Ling, Dingli Hong, Ruhong Xu, Luhua Li},
TITLE = {Impact of Seed Halopriming on Germination, Morphological Traits, and <i>Cry1Ac</i> Gene Expression in <i>Bt</i> Cotton (<i>Gossypium hirsutum</i>)},
JOURNAL = {Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany},
VOLUME = {94},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {229--241},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/phyton/v94n1/59341},
ISSN = {1851-5657},
ABSTRACT = {Seed priming is an effective seed pretreatment technology that enhances germination and overall crop performance by optimizing seed hydration and metabolic processes before planting. Seed quality is a critical determinant of cotton (<i>Gossypium hirsutum</i>) crop performance, influencing germination, plant vigor, and yield. This study evaluates the effects of seed priming with potassium salts (1% and 2% KCl and K<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>) on germination, morphological traits, and <i>Cry1Ac</i> gene expression in three <i>Bt</i> cotton cultivars (IUB-2013, NIAB-878B, FH-142) as <i>Cry1Ac</i> enhance the pest resistance in <i>Bt</i> cotton and reduce the plant’s dependence on chemical insecticides. Seeds were primed for six hours, air-dried, and sown in the field. Germination rates, plant height, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield, and ginning outturn (GOT) were assessed at crop maturity. <i>Cry1Ac</i> gene expression was quantified to explore the influence of priming treatments on transgene activity. Results demonstrated that 1% K<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> priming significantly enhanced germination and yield-related traits, with <i>Cry1Ac</i> expression peaking in the IUB-2013 cultivar under 1% K<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> treatment. These findings suggest that potassium-based halopriming improves cotton seedling establishment and <i>Bt</i> gene expression. This study addresses the critical gaps in understanding the effects of seed halopriming on morphological traits, germination, and expression of the <i>Cry1Ac</i> gene in <i>Bt</i> cotton while providing a novel eco-friendly and cost-effective halopriming approach, offering the potential to improve cotton production.},
DOI = {10.32604/phyton.2025.059315}
}