What term describes non-living factors such as drought, soil pH, and nutrient toxicities that affect plants?

What term describes non-living factors such as drought, soil pH, and nutrient toxicities that affect plants?

• A. Biotic
• B. Abiotic
• C. Autotrophic
• D. Physiological

Answer: (B)

Non-living environmental factors that influence plant growth are described as abiotic factors. Drought, soil pH, and nutrient toxicities come from the environment and directly affect processes like water uptake, nutrient availability, and enzyme activity, shaping how well a plant grows. That’s why abiotic is the best term here. Biotic factors are living things such as pests and pathogens; autotrophic refers to how an organism makes its own food, and physiological relates to internal plant processes rather than the category of environmental factors.

Non-living environmental factors that influence plant growth are described as abiotic factors. Drought, soil pH, and nutrient toxicities come from the environment and directly affect processes like water uptake, nutrient availability, and enzyme activity, shaping how well a plant grows. That’s why abiotic is the best term here. Biotic factors are living things such as pests and pathogens; autotrophic refers to how an organism makes its own food, and physiological relates to internal plant processes rather than the category of environmental factors.