What is an example of a plant response that can indicate environmental stress?

A plant's response to environmental stress can often be observed through symptoms that manifest in various forms, such as wilting, yellowing leaves, or stunted growth. These symptoms are indicators that the plant is experiencing stress due to factors such as drought, nutrient deficiency, pest infestation, or extreme temperatures. Noticing these symptoms allows for timely interventions to alleviate the stress, enhance plant health, and improve overall growth.

While the other responses may also reflect aspects of plant responses to stress, they do not encompass the broader range of visible signs that are indicative of the plant's condition. Growth inhibition, for instance, is a specific consequence of stress that can appear alongside the broader category of plant symptoms. Root curl may be a symptom in certain cases, particularly associated with soil health or specific environmental factors, but it is not as comprehensive as the general category of plant symptoms. Environmental adaptation pertains more to long-term changes that a plant may undergo to survive specific conditions rather than immediate responses to stress. Therefore, identifying plant symptoms provides the clearest and most immediate indication of environmental stress.