Using the early-maturing variety JX0010 as the material, field trials were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to study the effects of sowing date, density and nitrogen application on the spatio-temporal distribution of boll formation and yield formation of short-season direct seeded cotton. The experiments were set with two sowing periods A1(sown on 17 May) and A2(sown on 30 May), three planting densities B1(30 000 plants/hm2), B2(45 000 plants/hm2), B3(60 000 plants/hm2), and three nitrogen application rates C1(150 kg/hm2), C2(180 kg/hm2), C3 (210 kg/hm2). The results showed that late sowing could promote the concentration of cotton bolls to the middle, lower and inner peripheral nodes and improve the situation of bud and boll shedding, while in the rainy years, this pattern could significantly increase the proportion of autumn peaches with a risk of late ripening. Andearly sowing was conducive to improving cotton yields. The seed and lint yields of A1 increased by 16.3% and 15.3% compared with those of A2 in 2022, and the seed and lint yields of A1 increased significantly by 37.4% and 39.9% compared with those of A2 in 2023. The effect of planting density on the temporal distribution of boll formation was not significant, while the effect on the spatial distribution of buds and bolls and the rate of abscission varied markedly from year to year. Increasing planting density could significantly improve yields. The seed cotton yield of B3 was higher than that of B2 and B1 by 10.0% and 20.6%, respectively, and the lint yield of B3 was higher than that of B2 and B1 by 7.7% and 21.6%, respectively in 2022. And the seed cotton yield of B3 was significantly higher than that of B2 and B1 by 16.5% and 23.5%, respectively, and the lint yield of B3 was significantly higher than that of B2 and B1 by 15.8% and 24.1%, respectively in 2023. Nitrogen application had no significant effect on the spatial distribution of buds and bolls. The C2 treatment lowered the rate of abscission, increased the number of bolls per plant, and raised the yield, and the seed cotton yield of C2 increased by 11.7% and 12.2% compared with that of C1 and C3, respectively in 2022. , And the C1 treatment reduced the rate of abscission, increased the number of single bolls, and improved the yield, and the seed cotton yield of C1 was 39.8% and 41.3% higher than that of C2 and C3, respectively in 2023. In conclusion, from the study, the suitable sowing date in Hunan cotton area is mid-May, the optimal planting density is 60 000 plants/hm2. Considering the weather conditions, it is recommended to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer to 150-180 kg/hm2 under the one-time fertilizer application mode of short-season cultivation.