Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Agricultural Science

Leaving Cert Agricultural Science: Seed, germination & establishment

How often Seed, germination & establishment comes up on the Agricultural Science papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Seed, germination & establishment, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Seed, germination & establishment.

(a)Of 50 seeds sown, 42 germinated. What is the % germination?
  1. 42%
  2. 84%
  3. 16%
(b)Which three conditions do seeds need to germinate?
  1. Water, carbon dioxide and light
  2. Light, soil and plenty of fertiliser
  3. Water, oxygen and a suitable temperature
(c)Why is certified seed preferred to uncertified farm-saved seed?
  1. It is tested for purity, germination and disease
  2. It never needs any fertiliser to grow
  3. It is always cheaper than farm-saved seed
Show the answers

(a) 84%

(b) Water, oxygen and a suitable temperature

(c) It is tested for purity, germination and disease

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Seed, germination & establishment.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q18
2024Q5
2023Q14
2022Q3, Q13
2021Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Seed, germination & establishment questions

Seed, germination & establishment, 3 marks

Why are cereal seeds often treated (dressed) before sowing?

  1. To let them germinate in the dark underground
  2. To add lime to the soil around each seed as it is sown
  3. To protect against seed-borne disease and pests
Show the answer

To protect against seed-borne disease and pests

A seed dressing controls seed-borne fungal diseases and early pests, giving a healthier, more even crop.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5, Q14
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q18
2021Q17

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Seed, germination & establishment questions

Seed, germination & establishment, 2 marks

Why is a fine, firm seedbed important for small seeds like grass?

  1. It buries the seeds very deep
  2. It stops water reaching the seeds
  3. It gives good seed-to-soil contact
Show the answer

It gives good seed-to-soil contact

Close contact lets the seed take in moisture quickly. Rolling after sowing firms the soil and helps even germination.

Seed, germination & establishment, 3 marks

Seeds in waterlogged soil often fail to germinate because of a lack of?

  1. Carbon dioxide
  2. Oxygen
  3. Light
Show the answer

Oxygen

Water fills the soil pores and pushes out air. Without oxygen, the seed cannot respire to release energy for growth.

Seed, germination & establishment, 3 marks

Three germination repeats gave 80%, 90% and 85%. What is the mean?

  1. 85%
  2. 90%
  3. 255%
Show the answer

85%

Add the results and divide by the number of repeats: (80 + 90 + 85) ÷ 3 = 255 ÷ 3 = 85%. Averaging repeats makes the result more reliable.

Other Agricultural Science topics

All of Leaving Cert Agricultural Science