Direct Sowing of Tiny Seeds

21 Grade 4 Agriculture questions on Direct Sowing of Tiny Seeds, with worked marking schemes. 21 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Sowing tiny seeds too thickly leads to:

   A. Complete failure of the seeds to sprout

   B. Overcrowded, weak seedlings competing for nutrients

   C. Stronger, healthier plants

   D. Much faster maturity of the crop

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   When the seedlings from tiny seeds become overcrowded, the correct thing to do is to:

   A. Pull out all of them

   B. Thin them to leave healthy, well-spaced plants

   C. Cover them with more soil

   D. Add more seeds to the row

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a tiny seed?

   A. Avocado seed

   B. Carrot seed

   C. Maize grain

   D. Bean seed

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Outline, in the correct order, four steps of directly sowing tiny seeds.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   1 mark each for any four correct steps in order: prepare the seedbed to a fine tilth; make shallow drills/furrows; mix the tiny seeds with dry sand and sow evenly along the drills; cover lightly with fine soil; water gently with a fine rose.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Mixing tiny seeds with ash or sand mainly helps the sower to:

   A. See where the seeds fall and space them evenly

   B. Make the seeds germinate faster

   C. Avoid the need to water them

   D. Change the seed colour permanently

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   2 marks

   State two reasons for thinning seedlings after tiny seeds have germinated.

   (2 marks)

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7. Question 7

   2 marks

   Give two examples of crops that are grown by direct sowing of tiny seeds.

   (2 marks)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Direct sowing means:

   A. Moving seedlings from a nursery to the garden

   B. Planting seeds straight into their final growing place

   C. Raising seedlings in a nursery first

   D. Storing seeds in a store for planting later

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   4 marks

   (a) What is meant by direct sowing?

   (b) Give two advantages of direct sowing over raising seedlings in a nursery.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Planting seeds directly into the final site where they will grow to maturity, without raising them in a nursery or transplanting (2). (b) 1 mark each (any two): it saves the labour and time of transplanting; it avoids transplanting shock to the plants; it is cheaper.

10. Question 10

    6 marks

    Explain why each of the following is important when sowing tiny seeds: (a) preparing a fine seedbed, (b) sowing in shallow drills, (c) watering with a fine rose.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) A fine tilth lets the tiny seeds make good contact with the soil and germinate easily / lets roots penetrate (2). (b) Shallow drills give the light soil covering that tiny seeds need to sprout and keep spacing even (2). (c) A fine rose gives gentle water that does not wash away or bury the tiny seeds (2).

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Tiny seeds are sown in shallow drills because they:

    A. Grow faster when buried deep

    B. Must be planted very deep to sprout

    C. Do not need any watering

    D. Need only a light soil covering to germinate

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    Before sowing tiny seeds, the seedbed soil should be prepared to a:

    A. Layer covered with stones

    B. Fine tilth of loose, fine soil

    C. Waterlogged muddy state

    D. Surface with large hard clods

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    Why are tiny seeds mixed with dry sand or soil before sowing?

    A. To spread them evenly and avoid overcrowding

    B. To kill pests in the seedbed

    C. To change their colour

    D. To make them heavier so they sink deep

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Which tool is best for watering newly sown tiny seeds gently?

    A. A bucket poured out at once

    B. An open hosepipe

    C. A jerrican poured directly onto the seeds

    D. A watering can with a fine rose

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    After sowing, tiny seeds should be covered with:

    A. A thin layer of fine soil

    B. A thick layer of stones

    C. Nothing, then buried very deep later

    D. Heavy clods of soil

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Which crop is grown by direct sowing of tiny seeds?

    A. Amaranth (terere)

    B. Beans

    C. Maize

    D. Potatoes

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Which is the correct order when direct sowing tiny seeds?

    A. Prepare fine seedbed, make shallow drills, sow, cover lightly, water

    B. Sow first, then dig deep holes, then add stones

    C. Water the dry soil, then dig, then leave it

    D. Transplant seedlings, then sow the seeds

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    3 marks

    State three ways of caring for tiny-seed vegetables after they have germinated.

    (3 marks)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    Juma sowed tiny amaranth seeds deep in large holes and covered them with thick soil. What is the most likely result?

    A. Very fast germination of all the seeds

    B. No effect at all on the seeds

    C. Immediately taller and stronger plants

    D. Poor germination because the seeds are buried too deep

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    3 marks

    Explain why tiny seeds are mixed with dry sand before they are sown.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Tiny seeds are very small and light and hard to handle on their own (1); mixing with sand spreads them evenly and prevents overcrowding (1); it also helps the sower see where the seeds fall and control the sowing rate (1).

21. Question 21

    5 marks

    A pupil is going to sow carrot seeds in the school garden.

    (a) Name two tools he will need.

    (b) Describe how he should cover and water the seeds.

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) 1 mark each (any two): jembe/hoe; rake; watering can; garden line; panga. (b) cover the seeds with a thin, light layer of fine soil (1); do not bury them too deep (1); water gently using a watering can with a fine rose so the seeds are not washed away (1).

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