Dibbling Seed Rate & Precision Sowing, Less Seed

Dibbling is precision sowing: a set number of seeds is dropped into each hill (point) at fixed row and hill spacing, rather than scattered broadcast. Because every seed has a planned place, dibbling uses far less seed, gives even plant stands and makes weeding and intercultivation easier. It is common for maize, cotton, pulses, groundnut and many vegetables.

Hills per square metre = 1 ÷ (row spacing × hill spacing in metres). Total hills = hills per m² × field area. Total seeds = total hills × seeds per hill. Seed weight = total seeds ÷ seeds per kilogram (or × weight per seed). The tool runs this for the spacing, seeds per hill and area you enter.

Usually two to three seeds per hill, then thinned to the strongest one or two seedlings after emergence. Dropping more than one is insurance against poor germination so you do not get gaps. The calculator multiplies your seeds-per-hill figure across every hill, so set it to match your germination and thinning plan.

Broadcasting scatters seed everywhere, so much of it lands too thickly, too thinly or where it will not be wanted, and the rate has to be high to guarantee a stand. Dibbling places an exact, modest number of seeds only where a plant is meant to grow, so the same field needs a fraction of the seed and gives a tidier, more uniform crop.

Spacing depends on the crop and its final plant size — for example wider rows and hills for maize and cotton, closer for pulses. Use the recommended row spacing and hill (within-row) spacing for your crop and variety. The tighter the spacing, the more hills per square metre and the more seed you need.

Hills per square metre is how many planting points fit in one square metre at your chosen spacing — it is the plant-population backbone of the calculation. Multiply it by the field area (converted to square metres) to get the total number of hills, then by seeds per hill to get the seed needed.

Yes — enter the area in acres, hectares, bigha, guntha or m² and the right number of seeds per hill, and the tool returns hills per m², total hills, total seeds and seed weight. The dibbling approach is the same across crops; only the spacing and seeds per hill change.

Seed weight depends on seed size — large seeds like maize or groundnut weigh far more per thousand than fine seeds. The tool uses the seeds-per-kilogram (or thousand-grain weight) you provide to convert total seeds into kilograms, so you can buy or measure out the right quantity for the field.

They are solid planning figures. Real seed use shifts with germination percentage, how many seeds you actually drop per hill, replanting of gaps, and spacing accuracy in the field. Add a small margin for poor germination and field losses, and re-check your seeds-per-kilogram for the actual seed lot.