Positional and seed ageing effects on seed quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown in Western Kenya Rugut Eliud Kiprotich, Kris Audenaert, Lucas Ngode, Linnet Gohole, Godelieve Gheysen, Geert Haesaert. 1 Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Applied Biosciences, Ghent University, Valentine Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium 2 University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125, 30100 Eldoret Correspondence: Email: ruguteliud@yahoo.com Abstract Cotton seed is one of the most sensitive agronomic seeds where significant deterioration occurs after a short period of storage. This study was conducted to determine the effects of boll position and storage period on seed quality of cotton seed. Cotton variety KSA 81 M was planted at Busia ATC and bolls harvested from the Basal, Middle and Top branches for storage and subsequent seed quality tests. Germination of seeds from all the three plant positions declined with storage period while electrical conductivity and mean germination time increased. Germination percentage of seeds from the basal stems dropped below the middle and top branches after six 61