A good uniform stand with a final plant population of 35,000 to 45,000 plants per acre is crucial to cotton production. In order to achieve a proper stand a few principals need to be adhered to.

First, plant only after the minimum daily soil temperature (measured at 8 inches depth) is above 65o F for ten consecutive days, and the forecast is good for the next few days. This is essential because cotton will not grow in temperatures below 60o F. Planting in cooler soils will increase the chance for reduced stands due to disease or lower seed vigor. Warmer soils can be seeded at lower rates than cooler soils while still producing a proper final plant stand.

Second, plant the proper number of seeds per foot in order to obtain the desired plant population. Plant population studies have shown that a population of 2-4 plants per foot will tend to have fewer barren plants (weeds) while maintaining a similar yield as higher planting populations. Some plants will act as weeds by using water and nutrients for plant growth, but they will not produce bolls. These "weeds" will have the same effect as johnson grass or pigweed by making some of the water and nutrients unavailable to productive plants.

In order to get a final plant population of 3 plants per foot, seed quality, seed size and soil temperature must be considered when determining your seeding rate.

Seed Quality: The results from a germination test for the seed lot you are planting can be obtained by calling the 1-800 found on the bag. This information is critical to ensure a proper seeding rate. Seed vigor is the sum of the results of the cool germination test and the warm germination test. A seed vigor rating above 160 is desirable. Warm germination tests are done at 82o F for 16 hours and 68o F for 8 hours. Cool germination tests are conducted at 64o F. If the soil is cooler than 64o F at the time of planting, expect to have lower % germination than the cool germination test.

Seed Size: Different varieties have widely varying seed sizes. This can range from 4000 to 5000 seed per pound. Therefore, check the seed size (seed / pound) for each variety you are planting and adjust your planters accordingly.

Set your planter using either of the following two methods:

A)
1) Seed per Foot = Desired Plants per Foot / % Germination
3.33 = 3 / 0.90
2) Seed per Acre = Seed per Foot x Row Ft per Acre
43560 = 3.33 x 13068 (for 40")
3) Pounds per Acre = Seed per Acre / Seed per Pound
9.9 = 43560 / 4400

B)
1) Seed per Acre = Desired Population / % Germination
44,444 = 40,000 / 0.90
2) Seed per Foot = Seed per Acre / Row Feet per Acre
3.4 = 44,444 / 13068 (for 40" rows)
3) Pounds per Acre = Seed per Acre / Seed per Pound
10.1 = 44,444 / 4400

A variety with 4400 seed per pound at a planting rate of 16 lbs/A would have approximately 63,000 plants per acre.

In order to make the data from the IPM survey program available as quickly as possible, the following information will be posted on the internet:
- Pest Management News
- Cotton Pest Update - pest population tables
- Bollworm/Budworm Moth Trapping Data
- Weather Data

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied. We will seek to provice reasonable accomodations for all persons with disabilites for all extension programs. We request that you contact Mr. Stephen Biles (915/236-9011) as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that your require.

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