Question

Which one of the following condition is not essential to grow maize?

• A. High temperature
• B. Low temperature
• C. Humidity
• D. Rainfall

Answer 1

The correct option is A

High temperature

The correct option is A.

Explanation of correct option:

1. Maize is a cereal food and is commonly known as corn.
2. It is one of the main staple foods of the globe along with rice and wheat.
3. It is a kind of Kharif crop, that is, it is usually sown at the start of the rainy season and harvested at the termination of monsoons.
4. Therefore, maize does not require high temperatures to grow, the optimum temperature for the growth of maize is 18 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius in a day.
5. Other examples of Kharif crops are cotton, soybean, millet, etc.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option B:

1. The Kharif crops like maize are also called autumn crops as they are grown during the monsoon season and thus, would require some amount of humidity.

Option C:

1. The optimum temperature for the growth of maize is 18 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius during the day and 14 to 15 degrees Celsius at the night, thus, maize requires a low temperature for its growth.
2. However, maize requires about 140 frost-free days for its growth, thus, it cannot survive in extremely cold temperatures.

Option D:

1. As maize is a Kharif crop, which is sown at the beginning of the monsoon and harvested at the end of the monsoon season, this shows that it would need heavy rainfall for its growth.

Final answer: High temperature is not essential to grow maize.