in field trials at giza in 1986-1987, cotton cv. giza 75 was sown at 166,000, 222,000 and 333,000 plants/ha and given foliar applications of 0, 250, 500 and 750 ppm cycocel (chlormequat) or alar (daminozide). as plant density increased, there was a decrease in cottonseed yield/ha, seed index, seed protein content, oil and protein yields/ha, oil refractive index, iodine value, unsaponifiable matter and unsaturated fatty acids (myristoleic, oleic and linoleic) in contrast, as plant density increased, there was an increase in oil acid value, saponification value and saturated fatty acids (caprylic, capric, lauric, tridecylic, myristic, palmitic and stearic) application of cycocel or alar increased cottonseed yield/ha, seed index, seed protein content and oil and protein yield/ha, oil refractive index, iodine value, unsaponifiable matter and unsaturated fatty acids. however, there was a decrease in oil acid value and saponification value. there were no differences among application rates of either chemical on cottonseed yield/ha. the highest oil and protein yield/ha was observed with cycocel applied at 750 ppm, followed by alar at 250 ppm. applying cycocel at 250 ppm gave the highest oil refractive index and unsaponifiable matter, and the lowest acid value. application of alar at 250 ppm gave the highest oil iodine value and the lowest saponification value, and also at 250 or 500 ppm gave the highest oil unsaturated fatty acid composition interaction was positive between plant density, cycocel and alar and affected cottonseed yield/ha. the 166,000 plants/ha and application of c