Fri Jan 09 01:00:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Plants’ Musical Preferences Offer Insights into Sustainable Agriculture

The Story:

A January 9, 2026, article in The Hindu explores the impact of sound and music on plant growth. The article, citing research dating back to J.C. Bose, highlights studies demonstrating that plants can detect and respond to vibrations in their environment. Specifically, the article notes that plants exposed to the sound of chewing caterpillars produce defensive toxins and that seed germination is affected by sound frequencies. Research from 2020 by You-Ning Lal and How-Chiun Wu at the National University of Taiwan, revealed that different types of music, from Gregorian chants to nature sounds, affect plant growth differently. Indian research in 2014 and 2015 also corroborated that Vedic chants and classical music positively impacted the growth of rose, marigold, and chickpea plants, respectively. The article concludes by urging readers to replace firecrackers with soothing music to promote plant growth, particularly during festivals.

Key Points:

  • Plants can detect and respond to vibrations in their environment.
  • Plants produce defensive toxins when they hear the sound of caterpillars chewing.
  • Seed germination is affected by specific sound frequencies, with certain frequencies increasing water uptake and metabolism.
  • Research indicates that different music genres impact plant growth differently, with alfalfa preferring nature sounds, and lettuce Gregorian chants and waltz.
  • Indian studies show that Vedic chants and classical music promote growth in rose, marigold, and chickpea plants.
  • The article suggests using soothing music as an alternative to firecrackers to improve plant growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The field of phyto-acoustics is gaining recognition as a viable approach to enhancing plant growth and sustainable agriculture.
  • Different plant species may respond differently to various types of music and sound frequencies.
  • Minimizing noise pollution, particularly dissonant sounds like explosives, can benefit plant life.
  • Further research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms through which sound affects plant physiology and genetics.

    Read More