Abstract There has never been an intensive study of the micronutrient nutrition of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) when growing on slightly acid soils. A basic understanding of the micronutrient uptake characteristics of cotton is needed to fully understand the nutritional requirements of modern cotton cultivars and to make efficient use of micronutrient fertilizers. A field study was conducted for two years to evaluate the Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn uptake characteristics of selected cotton cultivars that are representative of cultivars used in the southern United States. Four cultivars, Deltapine 90, Stoneville 825, Coker 315 and Paymaster 145, were grown on a non-irrigated Norfolk fine sandy loam (fine loamy, thermic, siliceous, Typic Paleudults) and a non-irrigated Decatur silt loam (clayey, thermic, kaolinitic, Rhodic Paleudults). Micronutrient uptake was evaluated by sampling whole cotton plants at 2-week intervals over the growing season, beginning at 15 days after plant emergence. The plants were partitioned into leaves, stems, burs, seed and lint. Leaves, stems, burs and seed were analyzed for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Results of this study demonstrate that the four cultivars accumulated similar amounts of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn when grown on non-irrigated soils considered to have adequate levels of these elements. The cultivars also partitioned Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in a similar manner. Total Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn uptake when averaged over both soils and all four cultivars was 28 ± 14, 626 ± 277, 388 ± 184 and 103 ± 38 g ha −1 , respectively. This corresponded to an average accumulation of 4.0 ± 2.3 g Cu, 90 ± 18 g Fe, 56 ± 15 g Mn and 15 ± 0.6 g Zn for every 100 kg lint produced. Total Fe and Zn uptake was very similar for the two soils. However, total Cu and Mn uptake was lower on the norfolk soil as compared to the Decatur soil. Daily maximum accumulation of the elements occurred at 58 to 98 days after planting (first to fourth week of bloom), which was very close to the time of maximum dry-matter production. The data generated from this study should serve as useful baseline information regarding micronutrient uptake by cotton growing on slightly acid soils. On deficient soils this information could be used in making decisions regarding the use of micronutrient fertilizers.