What term describes the premature loss of leaves from a plant?

The term that accurately describes the premature loss of leaves from a plant is abscission. Abscission specifically refers to the process through which leaves, fruits, or other plant parts are shed, often in response to environmental conditions or stress factors. This process is a natural part of a plant's life cycle, enabling it to conserve resources or survive adverse conditions.

While defoliation can refer to the loss of leaves, it usually describes a more generalized loss of foliage, which could be due to various factors, including pest infestations, diseases, or intentional human actions, rather than a distinct physiological process like abscission. Chlorosis indicates a yellowing of leaves due to insufficient chlorophyll, and transpiration involves the movement of water vapor out of plant leaves, neither of which pertains to the loss of leaves. Understanding these differences helps clarify why abscission is the most precise term for the phenomenon in question.