The power of sounds - find the right frequency for stronger and healthier plants |
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Music has a profound effect on everyone, but does it have an effect on plants?
Many scientists throughout history asked themselves this questions and many studies have been carried out searching for an answer.
Since the 20th century the idea that sound significantly improves the plant growth has made its way into science.
The agronomists believe that sound influences the growth of proteins, enzimes and other plant mechanisms in following ways:
- improves its growth
- overcomes climate and geographic conditions
- eliminates parasites
- compensates the lack of sunlight
Despite discoveries that have been made, the potential of sound has not been sufficiently used in practice.
Deploying acoustic mechanisms in agriculture would result in numerous advantages, from crop quality and quantity to safety and growing speed.
However, this mechanism is yet to become a part of a generally adopted practice.
We shall introduce you to the basic ideas and the link between sound and its incredible but little known impact on plants.
History of research of acoustic effects on plants
Dr. Gustav Fechner, a German professor, was the first person to study the effect of sound on plants.
In 1848 he was a victim of much ridicule after he has suggested people should speak to plants to boost their growth.
The famous evolutionist Charles Darwin agreed with dr. Fechner's claims and was convinced that sound had the ability to stimulate the growth, emphasizing there were similarities between mammals and plants.
Dr. Singh, head of the Botanics department at the Annamali University in Italy played "Charukesi Raga" music in seven villages to sex types of rice noting a 20-60% growth increase.
A group of Italian agronomists in 2006 conducted a study in a vineyard by placing 15 speakers in front of grapevines.
After playing Mozart, Haydn, Vivaldi and Mahler they concluded that music had a positive impact on plant developement.
Their research was completely environmentally friendly, and the effects were visible in the growth improvement and the suppression of parasites.
Sound effect mechanisms
In the past 150 years numerous scientists, agronomist and biologists have considered and researched the effects sound has on plants.
However, a belief was present in the public that plants did not have a refined and accurate perception mechanism such as that of animals and people, which included emotions, reactions to stress, perception of danger, pain, pleasure or sound.
Claims that plants had feelings are still a subject of widespread disbelief and mockery despite many succesful studies.
The question of the effect of sound on growth and development of plants is still in the sphere of controversy and skepticism, and mostly unknown to public.
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, an Indian physiologist and botanist, devoted his whole life to the study of plants and discovered they reacted to external conditions including the behaviour of their caregivers.
The existence of sensory perception in plants persuaded other scientists to try to analyse with a greater precision how plants react to sound waves and frequencies.
Starting with the second half of the 20th century a number of techniques were developed such as:
- application of commercial CD-ROMs
- "protein music" and classical music
- Sonic Bloom
- impact of ultrasound frequencies
Great benefits of sound
Sonic Bloom is a technique devised by Dan
Carlson during the seventies and basically represents sound within the range of bird songs.
These frequences lead to the expansion of stomata, tiny openings on the leaf responsible for the exchange of gases and the evaporation, which enables an easier absorption of nutrients and a complete developement of plants.
It has been said that Sonic Bloom:
- increases plant size
- improves taste
- increases nutrient levels
- extends cellular lifespan
- accelerates growth
- increases yield of a home garden or agricultural crops
This method uses a synthesized sound of birds singing (within the 3000 - 5000 Hz range), which leads to the expansion of stomata and stimulates a greater absorption of CO2, water and nutrients.
The improvements brought about by plant mechanisms range from 50% to 700%!
In combination with organic fertilizers, sound will achieve even more significant results in plant growing.
The combination of sound and an organic fertilizer will result in:
- more active plant metabolism
- boost to growth, flowering and yielding fruits
- greater compactness of fruits
- adaptation to severe weather and natural conditions (frost, lack of sunlight, strong wind)
- better quality taste
- higher nutritive value of fruits
- longer storage capacity
It is recommended to use this technique three to five times a week during one to two weeks (every third or fourth day)
The application of sound should begin 30 minutes before the start of fertilization and continue for at least two hours after applying the fertilizer.
Due to the acoustic stimulus, the leaf mass will use the fertilizer better.
The researchers of the Canadian Agriculture Department used the ultrasonic sound (beyond the sensitivity of the human ear). These are the 50.000 Hz sound waves, equal to the echolocation frequency at which bats they orient in space.
They found that the mentioned frequency reduces the larvae rate by 60% and increases plant growth by 10 cm.
This method forced the night butterfly parasites to avoid plants since they felt there were predators around them.
Numerous studies have found that sound undoubtedly causes:
- acceleration of seed sprouting
- strengthening plant immunity (long-term resilience to scant climate and geographic conditions)
- faster growth of roots, leaf mass and fruits (higher yield)
- targeted activation of genes, proteins and enzymes
- increased quantity of nutrients in fruits
Acoustic agriculture - technology and hope for the future
"The Plant melodies", the frequencies designed for plants, have proved to be a great agricultural solution for the future.
These techniques have an enormous potential, specially for the Third world countries, where a cheap and an efficient yield boosting technology is needed.
These methods indirectly result in a reduced use of harmful pesticides and help resolve climate-related problems such as the drought-caused lack of water.
Although the acoustic agriculture has primarily been designed to help the plant growers on poor terrain conditions (lack of water, poor soil structure), its potential seems unlimited.
For both commercial growers and private farms, this is the perfect method - naturally based and environmentally friendly - which will lead to a significant yield increase and a growth of fruits of a much higher nutritive value.
If you wish beautiful and healthy plants in your environment, choose some good music and start planting immediately!
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