Which of the following crop has the highest genetic yield potential among the food grain crops?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (D) Maize

Explanation:
• Genetic yield potential refers to the maximum possible yield a crop can achieve under ideal environmental and management conditions.
• Among major food grain crops, maize belongs to the C4 group of plants, which possess a specialized photosynthetic pathway.
• The C4 mechanism allows more efficient carbon fixation and minimizes photorespiration losses, leading to higher biomass production.
• Due to better light, water, and nitrogen use efficiency, maize produces more dry matter compared to C3 crops like wheat, rice, and oat.
• This enhanced physiological efficiency directly translates into higher grain yield potential per unit area.
• Therefore, from a genetic and physiological standpoint, maize has the highest inherent productivity among food grains.
• Hence, option D is correct.

Information Booster:
• Maize is often called the “queen of cereals” because of its high yield capacity.
• It is widely used for food, feed, fodder, and industrial purposes.
• C4 crops generally perform better under high temperature and intense sunlight.
• Hybrid maize varieties show remarkable productivity under irrigation.
• It contributes significantly to global food and feed security.

Additional Knowledge:
• Oat (Option A): Mainly used as fodder and has lower yield potential compared to maize.
• Wheat (Option B): A C3 crop with moderate productivity and higher photorespiration losses.
• Rice (Option C): Also a C3 crop and although widely cultivated, its genetic yield ceiling is lower than maize.
• Thus, maize remains superior in terms of biological and genetic yield potential.

So the correct answer is (d)