FIELDS OF STUDY OF BOTANY

Morphology

It deals with the study and description of different organs of plant. Morphology is divided into two parts.

External morphology

It is the study and description of external characters of plant organs like root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed etc.

External morhology

Internal morphology

2 parts of morphology

Histology

It is the study of different tissues present in the plant body.

Anatomy

It deals with the study of gross internal details of plant organs like root, stem, leaf, flower etc.

Cytology (or) Cell Biology

It is the study of structure and functions of cell and cell organelles and their multiplication.

Embryology

This branch deals with the study of development of male and female gametophytes, formation of gametes, process of fertilization, development of embryo, endosperm and seed.

Plant taxonomy

It deals with the identification,nomenclature and classification of plants into related groups on the basis of information obtained from different fields of Botany.

Palynology

The study of the development, structure, and all other aspects related to microspores or pollen grains.

Plant physiology

This branch deals with the study of different vital activities of plants like absorption of water and minerals, photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen metabolism, growth etc.

Plant ecology

It is the study of reciprocal relationship between the plants and the environment in which they are living.

Palaeobotany

It deals with the study of fossil plants. It helps us in understanding the course of evolution in plants.

Genetics

This branch deals with all aspects related to genes such as their structure, synthesis, inheritance, mutations etc.

Phytogeography

It is the study of distribution of plants in different parts of the globe during the past and present periods of time.

Phycology

It is the study of all aspects related to algae, which are chlorophyllous and autotrophic thallopytes.

Mycology

It deals with the study of fungi which are non-chlorophyllous, heterotrophic thallophytes.

Lichenology

It is the study of lichens which are a special group of plants in which an algal member and a fungal member live together as symbionts. They mostly grow on rocks.

Bryology

The study of bryophytes.

Pteridology

It is the study of pteridophytes which are the first vascular plants and therefore called ‘Vascular Cryptogams’.

Microbiology

This branch includes the study of all microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoans etc.

Bacteriology

It is the study of bacteria.

Virology

This branch is concerned with the study of viruses.

Pomology

Study of fruits and fruit yielding plants.

Anthology

Study of flowers.

Agrostology

Study of grasses or lawns.

Dendrology or xylology

Study of shrubs and trees.

Dendochronology

Determination of age of the trees by counting annual rings.

Phenology

Study of seasonal changes in plants.

Xylotomy

Study of wood or Xylem vessels.