During four years of cotton cultivation, the influence of seed density on its quality, health condition and originated plants was evaluated. Seeds of the IAC 17 and IAC 18 cultivars were separated in the following density classes: less than 0.90g/cm³; from 0.90g/cm³ to 1.00g/cm³; from 1.00g/cm³ to 1.05g/cm³, and greater than 1.05g/cm³. Based on the weight of 100 seeds, the germination and vigor showed better quality in terms of physiological and physical aspects for the high density seeds (greater than 1.00g/cm³) as compared to the low density seeds (lower than 1.00g/cm³). In field conditions, the most dense seeds also originated a higher percentage of seedlings emergence, which influenced the plant population and yield. This influence did not remain on the physiological quality of the yielded seeds, which were evaluated by germination test. The best health condition was also shown by the most dense seeds (greater than 1.00g/cm³). The less dense seeds (lower than 1.00 g/cm³) resulted in greater incidence of Botryodlplodla theobromae, Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia sp. and total score of fungi. There was no influence of the seed density class on the health condition of the yielded seeds.
cotton; Gossypium hirsutum L; seeds; pathology