How to sow cotton – Cotton Seeding Rate- Number of Cotton Plants per hectare

Cotton seed is one of the most important parameters for a good yield. Only certified seeds should be preferred, while seeds older than 2 years should be avoided.

We sow cotton seeds directly in the field with special sowing machines. These machines open small trenches (of a predefined depth) for the seeds, drop the seeds inside at certain distances between them and then cover lightly with soil. In most cases, these machines also drop a predefined quantity of fertilizer granules between the seeds. We add on average 55 lbs. (25 kg) of cotton seeds and 440 lbs. (200 kg) of fertilizer per hectare inside the sowing machine (1 hectare = 10.000 square meters = 2,47 acres). The sowing depth is 1,5 – 2 inches (4-5 cm). We leave an average distance of 3 ft (0,91 m) between rows, so as to facilitate the mechanical harvest. In the sowing line, we sow the seeds leaving an average distance of 3 inches (7,62 cm) between them. On average, we have around 90.000-100.000 plants per hectare. Consequently, the average number of cotton plants per acre is 40.000. However, there are cases in which we can have up to 70.000 cotton plants per acre, but this can be achieved only by selecting specific varieties.

1.) Cotton Plant Information

2.) How to grow Cotton

3.) Cotton Plant Growing Conditions

4.) Cotton Sowing – Seeding Rate – Number of Plants per Acre & Hectare

5.) Cotton Plant Pollination

6.) Cotton Plant Fertilizer Requirements

7.) Cotton Water Requirements

8.) Cotton Harvest & Yields

9.) Cotton Weed Control

10.) Q&As Cotton