ABSTRACT
Plant growth and development are governed by a plethora of genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and environmental variables that are strictly regulated by external and internal stimuli. In the current climate change and environmental degradation scenario, plant growth is being influenced by both abiotic and biotic stresses. In order to handle these stresses, plants have evolved sophisticated ecophysiological responses. Phytohormones play a critical role in stress mitigation in plants, thus governing vital functions regulating numerous physiological and developmental processes. Ecophysiological responses such as shade avoidance in bright light, petiole elongation in low-light settings, and the development of deep roots in water-deficit cases, among others, occur as a result of hormonal interaction with external factors. This chapter aims to outline the recent studies on the multifaceted involvement of phytohormones in environmental adaptability and ecophysiological responses to varying resource availability.
