Key Concept: Waterlogging tolerance depends on whether a crop's roots can get enough oxygen in saturated soil.
Why it's correct: Maize roots need well-aerated soil; when waterlogged, oxygen availability drops sharply, causing root suffocation and stunted growth, especially in early growth stages.
Why others fail: Rice is specifically adapted to flooded conditions via aerenchyma tissue, and both jute and sugarcane tolerate wet soils far better than maize — none is as sensitive.