Published: April 24, 2026 | Kohenoor International, Lahore, Pakistan
Getting your sesbania seeding rate right is one of the most important decisions you will make before planting. Too few seeds per acre and you end up with a thin, patchy stand that fails to suppress weeds or produce adequate biomass. Too many seeds per hectare and you waste money, encourage disease from overcrowding, and reduce per-plant yield in seed production fields. The correct sesbania seeding rate depends on four key factors: your intended use case, the species you are planting, your chosen row spacing, and your total field area.
Whether you are growing Sesbania bispinosa for green manure in rice paddies, establishing a fodder crop for livestock, or setting up a seed production plot, this calculator gives you precise quantities tailored to your exact situation. At Kohenoor International, we have been supplying sesbania seeds to farmers and exporters since 1957, and we built this tool from decades of field experience across South Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Estimates assume 70% field germination. Cost based on typical export pricing of $0.80–$1.50/kg depending on species and quantity. Contact us for an exact quote.
The following table provides baseline sesbania seeds per acre and per hectare rates for the most common planting scenarios. These rates assume S. bispinosa as the reference species with broadcast sowing unless noted otherwise. Adjust proportionally for other species using the seed weight reference below.
| Use Case | Method | kg/Acre | kg/Hectare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Manure | Broadcast | 10 – 14 | 25 – 35 |
| Green Manure | Row (30–45cm) | 6 – 8 | 15 – 20 |
| Fodder Crop | Broadcast | 12 – 16 | 30 – 40 |
| Fodder Crop | Row (30–45cm) | 8 – 10 | 20 – 25 |
| Cover Crop | Broadcast | 8 – 12 | 20 – 30 |
| Seed Production | Row (60cm) | 3 – 5 | 8 – 12 |
| Agroforestry | Wide spacing | 2 – 3 | 5 – 8 |
No seeding rate chart is absolute. Real-world conditions require adjustments. Consider the following factors when deciding how much sesbania seed per hectare or per acre to plant:
Different sesbania species have vastly different seed sizes, which directly affects how many kilograms you need to achieve the same plant population. Smaller-seeded species like S. bispinosa require far less weight than large-seeded S. grandiflora.
| Species | Seeds per kg | Seed Size | Relative Rate Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. bispinosa | ~45,000 | Small | Baseline (1.0x) |
| S. aculeata | ~40,000 | Small–Medium | 1.1x |
| S. rostrata | ~30,000 | Medium | 1.5x |
| S. sesban | ~22,000 | Medium–Large | 2.0x |
| S. grandiflora | ~15,000 | Large | 3.0x |
For example, if the standard rate for green manure broadcast sowing is 30 kg/ha of S. bispinosa, you would need approximately 45 kg/ha of S. rostrata or 90 kg/ha of S. grandiflora to achieve a similar plant population. Our calculator above handles these adjustments automatically.
The amount of sesbania seed per acre depends on the use case and planting method. For green manure with broadcast sowing, you need approximately 10–14 kg per acre (25–35 kg/ha). For row planting at 45cm spacing, the rate drops to 6–8 kg per acre. Fodder production requires slightly more at 12–16 kg per acre broadcast, while seed production uses only 3–5 kg per acre in wide 60cm rows.
Yes, species significantly affects seeding rate because seed size varies. Sesbania bispinosa has the smallest seeds at approximately 45,000 seeds per kg, meaning you need fewer kilograms for the same plant population. Sesbania grandiflora has much larger seeds at around 15,000 per kg, requiring proportionally more weight. Sesbania rostrata falls in between at about 30,000 seeds per kg. Always adjust your rate based on the specific species you are planting.
Yes, increase your sesbania seeding rate by 15–25% when planting in poor, compacted, or saline soils where germination rates are typically lower. Similarly, increase rates for rainfed conditions without reliable irrigation, late-season plantings, or fields with heavy weed pressure. Conversely, you can reduce rates by 10–15% in well-prepared seedbeds with good moisture and optimal planting temperatures of 25–35 degrees Celsius.
The best row spacing depends on your purpose. Broadcast sowing (no rows) is ideal for green manure and cover crops where maximum biomass and ground coverage is the goal. Rows at 30cm spacing work well for dense fodder stands. For seed production, 60cm rows are recommended as they allow better air circulation, easier harvesting, and higher seed yields per plant. Agroforestry plantings typically use even wider spacing of 1–2 meters between rows.
Kohenoor International has been exporting premium sesbania seeds since 1957. We supply all major species in bulk quantities with competitive pricing and worldwide shipping from Lahore, Pakistan.