The idea that music promotes plant growth has existed for many years, but new research has found that monotonous noise stimulates a type of fungus that promotes plant growth.
In a paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the researchers study the effects of microorganisms on the soil fungus Trichoderma harzianum, which is used in agriculture to promote plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and enhance soil health. This article describes how we investigated the effects of
When the researchers applied noise to Petri dishes growing T. harzianum, they found that the size of the fungus increased and spore production increased. This may encourage plant growth. The researchers want to further investigate how this discovery could benefit farmers and the environment.
“Our new research highlights the potential of acoustic stimulation to alter important fungal properties, which with further development could be used to aid ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture.” the researchers wrote.
Stock image of growing plants (main) and music from speakers (inset). Researchers have found that playing sounds stimulates the proliferation of soil bacteria, which in turn promotes plant growth. Stock image of growing plants (main) and music from speakers (inset). Researchers have found that playing sounds stimulates the proliferation of soil bacteria, which in turn promotes plant growth. Stock/Getty Images Plus
Previously, when examining the idea that music helps plants grow, Mythbusters looked at how plants cope when they “listen” to death metal or classical music, but this is a comprehensive It was not considered scientific research.
Sadly, the sound played by the fungi in this study wasn’t Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter, but a white noise track called “8 kHz Tinnitus Flosser Masker.” This sound was played for 30 minutes every day at 80 decibels, which is about the same noise as a lawn mower.
“We showed that acoustic stimulation treatment increased fungal biomass and enhanced conidial (spore) activity of T. harzianum compared to the control. “We show that it affects the growth of growth-promoting fungi and potentially enhances their functions, such as stimulating sporulation,” the researchers wrote in the paper.
They said this increased fungal growth and spore production could be due to something called the piezoelectric effect, where sound waves are converted into electrical charges that stimulate the fungi.
“The mechanism responsible for this phenomenon could be fungal mechanoreceptor stimulation and/or potential piezoelectric effects. However, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis,” the researchers said. is writing.
Alternatively, sound may affect mechanoreceptors on the fungal membrane, allowing the fungus to “feel” its surroundings.
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References
Robinson, J. M., Annels, A., Cando-Dumancera, C., and Breed, M. F. (2024). Acoustic restoration: Acoustic stimulation enhances fungal activity that promotes plant growth. Biology Letters, 20(10). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0295
