Scientists from AGH University of Science and Technology, together with staff from the Department of Horticulture at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, used specialized microphones to check whether plants are capable of producing sounds inaudible to humans. It turns out that tomatoes can be quite talkative in crisis situations.
This is no joke. Lack of water, excessive drought, or pest attack can throw plants off their fragile balance.
“The first stage of the research was carried out in the experimental greenhouse of the Centre for Innovative Horticultural Production Technologies of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences,” explains Klara Chojnacka, a PhD student at AGH. “We tested young tomato seedlings, which grow quickly under suitable conditions. It was important for us that the conditions for growing the plants were as good as possible, and this can only be provided by competent employees who work in the experimental greenhouses on a daily basis and know how to create such conditions for the plants. During our measurements, the growth of the tomatoes reached 30 cm per week,” she says.
Tested tomatoes…cause a stir
In the next phase of the research, the scientists examined the behavior of the plants under completely controlled conditions.
AGH announces on its website that further measurements were made using microphones for bioacoustic applications. Thanks to this equipment, the scientists were able to record sounds above 200 kHz. The measurement range of the equipment allows you to try different stations that emit sound pulses at different frequencies. “The tested tomatoes produced noise in the range of 20-50 kHz,” we read in the researchers’ press release.
The test involved placing the station in a controlled acoustic environment with background sound level below 0 dB and no additional acoustic reflections. Eight advanced specialized microphones were then placed around it.
First, the plants were made sure to be properly fertilized and watered. Then the plants were dried until completely dry. As it turned out, when the plants were dry, the sound was intensified.
Polish researchers hope that listening to plants will provide fruit growers with valuable information, indicating when crops need extra care from humans. This is expected to lead to more efficient crop care. – In addition to data on humidity or ambient temperature, farmers could use signals directly from the plant to decide whether to increase fertilization, increase irrigation intensity or protect against pests, without actually being on site – said scientists from AGH.
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