The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word BOTANY
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
B
O
T
A
N
Y
More clues leading to the result BOTANY
- Expression of enthusiasm about effect of sun in nature study
- Bishop with books on some plants in this study
- Tasteless clothes mostly edged with thin type of wool
- Study of plants in colour occupying child
- Lad collects sort of amber for scientific study
- Skinny accepts thanks for horticulture
- Scientific discipline leading baker brought back to a US city
- Subject of the lad getting brown
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "scientific study" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case scientific study = botany.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BOTANY mean?
BOTANY noun- The scientific study of plants, a branch of biology. Typically those disciplines that involve the whole plant.
- The plant life of a geographical area; flora.
- The properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group.
- A botanical treatise or study, especially of a particular system of botany or that of a particular place.