A study to evaluate the response of Deltapine 90 and KC 380 to plant populations of ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4 & 6 plant/foot on 3611 rows was conducted at two North Carolina locations in 1990. Plant population had a larger impact on plant development than variety. Plant height, nodes and number of fruiting branches decreased at early bloom and harvest as plant population was increased. Fruit set at positions 1, 2, and >2 of fruiting branches increased as plant population decreased. The contribution of vegetative bolls to final yield declined as plant population increased. Similar lint yields were observed at plant populations between 1 and 6 plants per foot. The data indicates that various patterns of yield development can result in similar final lint yields. Further work is required to identify how management practices can be altered to enhance productivity with varying plant populations.