What is the term for the study of how plants respond to their environment?

The study of how plants respond to their environment is specifically known as plant physiology. This field focuses on various physiological processes, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and water regulation, and how these processes are influenced by environmental factors like light, temperature, water availability, and soil composition. By understanding these interactions, scientists can learn how plants adapt to changing conditions and improve agricultural practices.

Botany is a broader term that encompasses the overall study of plants, including their taxonomy, structure, and distribution, but it does not solely focus on their responses to environmental factors. Environmental science examines broader ecological systems, including human impacts on the environment, rather than the specific physiological responses of plants. Agronomy deals with the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fiber, and fuel, but it is more focused on agricultural practices and management rather than the physiological responses of plants to their surroundings.