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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 (Gossypium hirsutum) crop performance, influencing germination, plant vigor, and yield. This study evaluates the effects of seed priming with potassium salts (1% and 2% KCl and K2SO4) on germination, morphological traits, and Cry1Ac gene expression in three Bt cotton cultivars (IUB-2013, NIAB-878B, FH-142) as Cry1Ac enhance the pest resistance in Bt 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. Cry1Ac gene expression was quantified to explore the influence of priming treatments on transgene activity. Results demonstrated that 1% K2SO4 priming significantly enhanced germination and yield-related traits, with Cry1Ac expression peaking in the IUB-2013 cultivar under 1% K2SO4 treatment. These findings suggest that potassium-based halopriming improves cotton seedling establishment and Bt gene expression. This study addresses the critical gaps in understanding the effects of seed halopriming on morphological traits, germination, and expression of the Cry1Ac gene in Bt cotton while providing a novel eco-friendly and cost-effective halopriming approach, offering the potential to improve cotton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of smart cities and the swift transition toward digital governance, optimizing urban spatial governance through digital technology remains underexplored in the Global South, particularly from the perspective of resident perception and interaction. Digitization of government services is a key area of interest in digital governance research; this study investigates the impact of government self-service systems on the spatial perception and behavior of residents in Guangzhou and Foshan, China. Through a mixed-method approach, combining questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews and analyzing them using a structural equation model, the findings reveal that government self-service systems significantly influence residents' spatial behavior and perception. These systems enhance the efficiency of administrative processes, increase convenience, and lead to temporal-spatial compression, thereby reshaping residents' physical interactions with urban spaces. The findings provide practical insights for policymakers to enhance urban governance by integrating digital technologies to improve residents' interaction with government services. These insights can guide the development of more efficient, resident-centered digital governance frameworks, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital technology transforms urban spatial governance, highlighting the critical interplay between individuals, technology, and the urban environment. The study likewise provides examples of the ongoing digital transformation of public services in countries of the Global South that are lagging behind in the area of digital governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is a vital cropping system that can create a conducive growth environment for crops and enhance land productivity. Tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus L.) have high oil content and are adaptable to various soil types, making them a promising new oil crop with significant development potential. This study evaluated the plant height, leaf area, tiller numbers, biomass, land equivalent ratio (LER), and root morphological characteristics of tiger nuts. The agronomic traits and root distribution of tiger nuts and other crops were further investigated to achieve the goal of high yield for tiger nuts. Seven intercropping systems were implemented in the experiment: maize–tiger nut intercropping (MT), soybean–tiger nut intercropping (ST), cotton–tiger nut intercropping (CT), monoculture tiger nut (T), monoculture maize (M), monoculture soybean (S), and monoculture cotton (C). The results indicated that under different planting systems, the agronomic traits of tiger nuts in MT and ST modes were superior, with plant height and tiller numbers increasing by 7.6% to 11.6%. However, the plant height and Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values in CT mode were slightly lower than in T mode. Additionally, intercropping reduced the leaf area by 6.2% to 37.9%. Root development was more pronounced in intercropping modes, with the ST mode showing the most significant improvement, increasing the 0–20 cm root length density (RLD) by 12.2% to 45.7%. Therefore, each of the three intercropping modes demonstrated distinct advantages. The LER of the intercropping systems ranged from 1.10 to 1.24, enhancing land utilization, with tiger nuts being the dominant species. Compared to monoculture, the ST mode exhibited the best overall effect. Understanding the impact of different planting systems on tiger nuts provides valuable insights for developing tiger nut cultivation in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]