Seed Requirement Calculator
Work out seed quantity and cost for your plot, in whatever unit you measure land.
Seed rates are published per acre or per hectare, while most Indian farmers measure land in bigha, guntha or cent. This calculator converts your area, adjusts the rate for sowing method and germination, and gives you the quantity to buy in kilograms, quintals and bags.
Crop and plot
Result
Fill in the fields above and your result will appear here.
What the Seed Requirement Calculator does
Two adjustments matter beyond the headline rate. Broadcasting scatters seed unevenly and needs roughly 20% more than a seed drill for the same stand. And germination below the assumed baseline means proportionally more seed to reach the same plant population.
Both are commonly ignored, which is why fields sown "by the book" sometimes come up thin. A ten-minute germination test on a hundred seeds before sowing is worth more than any calculation.
How to use this tool
- Select the crop to load a typical seed rate, then adjust it to your state recommendation or your own experience.
- Enter the area in whatever unit you actually use — bigha, guntha, cent or acre.
- Choose the sowing method. Broadcasting needs more seed than a drill.
- Enter expected germination from the seed packet, or better, from a test: count 100 seeds, germinate them on damp cloth, and count how many sprout.
- Enter the seed price and any treatment cost to get the total.
Formula and method
Area in acres = Area × conversion factor for your unit
Base requirement = Seed rate per acre × Area in acres
Method factor = 1.0 line sowing · 1.2 broadcasting · 0.85 transplanting
Germination factor = 85 ÷ Your germination %
Seed required = Base × Method factor × Germination factor
Total cost = Seed required × (Seed price + Treatment cost)
Worked example
Example: 5 acres of wheat at 40 kg/acre
| Base requirement | 200 kg |
| Line sowing factor | 1.0× |
| Germination 85% | 1.0× |
| Seed required | 200 kg (4 quintals) |
| Cost at ₹45/kg plus ₹3 treatment | ₹9,600 |
The same field broadcast at 70% germination would need 292 kg — nearly half as much again, costing ₹4,400 more.
What your result means
The quantity in quintals and bags is what you actually buy. Round up to the next whole bag rather than down.
Cost per acre lets you compare seed spend against the crop economics in the crop profit calculator.
The germination factor is the adjustment most worth taking seriously. Seed that germinates at 60% needs 40% more quantity to achieve the same plant stand.
Important considerations
- Seed rate depends heavily on variety, seed size, spacing and sowing date. Late sowing usually needs a higher rate to compensate for reduced tillering.
- Test germination yourself before sowing. Count out 100 seeds, keep them damp for the appropriate period, and count how many sprout.
- Certified seed costs more but usually germinates better and carries known varietal purity. Farm-saved seed needs a higher rate and careful cleaning.
- Hybrid seed for crops such as cotton and maize is sold by packet rather than weight, and plant population matters more than kilograms.
- Seed treatment with fungicide or rhizobium culture is inexpensive relative to the loss it prevents.
- Your state agriculture department and nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra publish recommendations for your district and season. Those override any default here.
Limitations of this tool
- It works from a seed rate per acre and does not calculate from plant spacing and seed weight, which is more precise for row crops.
- Crops sold by packet rather than weight, such as Bt cotton, are not well represented by a kilogram-based rate.
- It does not account for gap filling or resowing, which some crops and seasons require.
Frequently asked questions
How much wheat seed is needed per acre?
Typically 40–50 kg per acre for broadcasting and 35–40 kg for line sowing, with more for late sowing. Your state recommendation for your variety is the authority.
How do I test seed germination at home?
Count 100 seeds, place them between damp cloth or on wet paper, keep them warm and moist for the crop's normal germination period, then count how many have sprouted. That number is your germination percentage.
Why does broadcasting need more seed?
Because seed is scattered unevenly, some falls too shallow or too deep, and spacing cannot be controlled. A seed drill places seed at consistent depth and spacing, so fewer seeds achieve the same plant stand.
Is certified seed worth the extra cost?
Usually. Certified seed has verified germination and varietal purity, so you need less of it and get a more uniform crop. The saving on quantity often offsets much of the price difference.