Cotton Emergence and Yield Response to Planter Depth and Downforce Settings in Different Soil Moisture Conditions

US cotton producers are motivated to optimize planter performance ensure timely and uniform stand establishment early in the season, especially when planting sub-optimal field conditions. Field studies were conducted 2017, 2018 2019 evaluate effect of seeding depth downforce on crop emergence yield planted different soil moisture conditions representative dry, normal wet attained by applying 0, 1.27 2.54 cm irrigation within same field. Two cultivars (representing a small-seeded large-seeded cultivar, 9259–10,582 11,244–14,330 seeds kg?1, respectively), at depths 1.3, 2.5 3.8 with each paired three downforces 445 890 N block. Cotton was plots that measured 3.66 m (four-rows) wide 10.67 long. Results indicated affected across most higher observed cultivar 1.3 dry conditions, respectively. Lint also for all 2018. Planter varied among where exhibited than downforce. yielded greater 0 treatment 2017. The study results suggest matching settings prevalent along appropriate selection can help achieving optimal cotton.