Final answer:
The Gley soil horizon is typical of soils with prolonged waterlogging, characterized by greyish colors and anoxic conditions. Maize can adapt by developing aerenchyma, as plants in waterlogged areas require special adaptations to survive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The soil horizon typical of soils that are subjected to prolonged waterlogging is commonly known as the Gley soil horizon, which is not part of the typical O, A, B, and C horizon sequence but is characterized by its greyish, greenish-grey, or dark color due to the presence of reduced iron (Fe²⁺) and accumulated organic matter in anoxic conditions. When soil horizons are exposed to long-term flooding, they can experience anoxia, which is the complete lack of oxygen, resulting in distinct changes to the soil profile, and may lead to the presence of a gleyed layer that indicates prolonged saturation and poor drainage.
Plants such as maize (Zea mays L.) can adapt to waterlogged conditions by developing aerenchyma in their roots for better ventilation. In wetlands, which consist of environments where the soil is saturated with water permanently or periodically, hydric soils are found, and the survival of plants in these conditions relies on various physiological, morphological, and metabolic adaptations to waterlogging and anoxia.