Maize Nutrition Mastery Quiz Quiz

Assess your understanding of key principles in maize nutrient management, from essential nutrients to best fertilizer practices and deficiency identification. This quiz covers important facts relevant to optimizing maize growth and yield.

1. Essential Macronutrient for Maize Growth

   Which macronutrient is most critical for strong root and kernel development in maize crops?

   1. Boron
   2. Zinc
   3. Manganese
   4. Phosphorus

   Explanation: Phosphorus is vital for energy transfer and is essential for strong root and kernel development in maize. Zinc, manganese, and boron are important micronutrients, but they are needed in much smaller quantities and do not play as direct a role in root and kernel formation. Thus, phosphorus is the correct answer.

2. Identifying Nitrogen Deficiency

   A maize field shows pale yellow leaves and stunted growth early in the season. Which nutrient deficiency is most likely responsible?

   1. Calcium
   2. Potassium
   3. Sulfur
   4. Nitrogen

   Explanation: Nitrogen deficiency commonly causes pale yellow leaves and reduced growth because nitrogen is crucial for chlorophyll and protein synthesis. Potassium deficiency usually results in leaf edge browning, sulfur causes yellowing but often in younger leaves, while calcium deficiency affects new growth, not established leaves.

3. Maize Fertilizer Timing

   When is the most effective time to apply the majority of nitrogen fertilizer to maize for optimal yield?

   1. At the V6 growth stage (six-leaf stage)
   2. At maturity
   3. During seed germination
   4. After tasseling

   Explanation: Applying the bulk of nitrogen at the V6 stage supports critical periods of rapid maize growth and nitrogen uptake. Applying at maturity or after tasseling is too late for efficient use, and at seed germination, the plants cannot use most of the nitrogen, making those options less effective.

4. Potassium's Role in Maize

   What is the main function of potassium in maize nutrition?

   1. Stimulating early root growth
   2. Providing the building blocks for DNA
   3. Increasing disease resistance and regulating water movement
   4. Supplying energy for photosynthesis

   Explanation: Potassium is primarily involved in disease resistance, enzyme activation, and regulating water within the maize plant. It does not form the building blocks of DNA (that's phosphorus), nor does it directly supply energy (a role for phosphorus and sunlight), or specifically stimulate early root growth.

5. Diagnosing Magnesium Deficiency

   A farmer notices older maize leaves turning yellow between the veins, while the veins remain green. Which nutrient is likely deficient?

   1. Iron
   2. Magnesium
   3. Copper
   4. Molybdenum

   Explanation: Magnesium deficiency typically shows as interveinal chlorosis on older leaves since magnesium is mobile in the plant. Iron deficiency affects younger leaves and has a different pattern, while copper and molybdenum deficiencies are less common and present differently in maize.