Along with proper variety selection, seeding rate is an important consideration for cotton growers to attain adequate stand establishment and high yields. Considering high cotton seed prices in recent years, seeding rate is also one of the ways for growers to manage input costs. Cotton seeding configuration (hill-drop versus singulated) is another way for growers to be more efficient with seeding rates and manage input costs on their farm.

Hill-drop versus Singulated

Hill-dropping cotton seed used to be a common practice to attain adequate stand establishment; however, more and more growers have transitioned to singulated cotton over the years due to high seed costs, as well as the availability of newer cotton varieties with improved seed vigor and emergence. Research studies (conducted from 2018 to 2020) on hill-dropped versus singulated cotton at two different seeding rates shows statistically similar emergence and yield between the two seeding configurations/methods.

While hill-drop cotton does have its place in some fields where it is harder to get a stand, it shouldn’t be practiced in every field, as there is an opportunity to place seed more evenly and, in some cases, to even reduce seeding rate by singulating cotton seed. Thus, Alabama growers who are hill-dropping cotton can benefit from planting singulated cotton in some of their fields without seeing any adverse effect on emergence and yield. Most new planter manufacturers have singulated seed plates available for cotton, especially for both lower and higher seeding rates. For growers wanting to try or transition to singulated cotton, Extension professionals recommend trying it first in a few fields with good soil types where it may be easier to attain a good stand and then slowly transition more fields into it.

 Seeding Rate

The nominal cotton seeding rate in Alabama varies from 29,000 to 43,500 seeds per acre, depending on the region/area within the state. While higher seeding rates of 38,000 seeds per acre or higher (>2.5 seeds/foot) were more common in the past, as mentioned earlier now there are improved varieties with good seedling vigor and emergence that can provide good stand establishment at 1.5 to 2.0 seeds per foot. Seeding rate studies (conducted in 2022 and 2023) in cotton have shown statistically similar emergence and yield for seeding rates between 22,500 and 29,500 seeds per acre.

These results have been consistent across multiple fields and years, so this is another opportunity where Alabama growers can benefit from reducing—or better optimizing— seeding rates on their farms. This is especially true if their nominal seeding rates are over 35,000 seeds per acre. Similar to the seeding configuration recommendation, Extension professionals recommend trying this in a few fields first and adjusting the seeding rate as needed to maximize emergence and yield. Usually, the best way to do this is to conduct a seeding rate strip trial with two to three rates and measure the emerged population and yield. This should be straightforward for growers with hydraulic or electric drive planters as everything can be easily controlled from the in-cab planter monitor.

There are several on-farm cotton trials planned across the state in 2025. If you are interested in cotton seeding configuration, seeding rate or other planter/technology related trial on your farm, please contact your local extension agent.

Note: All seeding rates in the text and tables above are based on 36-inch row spacing.