Gregor Johann Mendel is often referred to as the father of what field?

Gregor Johann Mendel is recognized as the father of genetics due to his pioneering work in understanding heredity through the study of pea plants. In the mid-19th century, Mendel conducted experiments that led to the formulation of basic laws of inheritance, including the concepts of dominant and recessive traits, as well as the segregation and independent assortment of alleles. His meticulous approach and use of statistical analysis were revolutionary for the time and laid the foundation for the field of genetics.

While microbiology, agronomy, and botany all involve aspects of living organisms and their interactions, they do not focus specifically on the laws of inheritance in the same way that genetics does. Microbiology concerns microorganisms, agronomy deals with crop production and soil management, and botany is the study of plants in general. Mendel's lasting impact is primarily in the realm of genetics, making this the definitive answer to the question.