THE SOUND OF GROWTH
- Sienna Eve Benton
- Sep 4
- 6 min read
Eight Common Findings from Plant Studies on How Music and Acoustic Frequencies Influence Growth, Metabolism, and Organic Agricultural Potential
Sound and music is a biologically active stimulus to increase plant growth, metabolism, and gene expression. Multiple studies including Oxford’s “Music for plants? An Investigation into the Impact of Exposure to Acoustic Stimulus in Bok Choy,” PubMed Centeral’s publication “Sound Perception and Its Effects in Plants and Algae,” ResearchGate’s study “Effect of Music on Plants, An Overview,” and Environmental Conservation Journal’s study “Potential Effects of Audible Sound Signals Including Music on Plants, A New Trigger,” all reveal the following commonalities.
Shared Conclusions Across Studies
1. Sound as a Mechanical Stimulus
One of the strongest commonalities found across all the studies is that sound functions as a mechanical stimulus for both plants and algae. Although plants and algae lack ears or auditory systems, they are able to perceive sound vibrations through mechanical responses. These include membrane deformation, activation of mechanosensitive ion channels, and changes to cytoskeletal structures. This establishes a foundation for understanding how organisms without a nervous system can still react to acoustic environments.
2. Enhanced Growth and Metabolic Activity
All of the studies reported that sound exposure positively influenced growth rates and metabolic performance. In the case of marigold and chickpea plants, growth was enhanced when exposed to light Indian music and meditation music. Algae species such as Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Haematococcus pluvialis showed increased productivity when exposed to specific sound treatments. These observations indicate that sound has the potential to act as a growth regulator for both terrestrial and aquatic photosynthetic organisms.
3. Frequency and Intensity Dependent Outcomes
Another consistent finding was that the biological effects of sound are highly dependent on its frequency, intensity, and duration. Plants responded more favorably to music with balanced tones and moderate volume, while algae showed optimal responses to specific frequencies such as 400 hertz and 2200 hertz. In both groups, the response was not linear. This suggests that there is an ideal acoustic profile for each species that maximizes physiological benefits.
4. Gene Expression and Cellular Responses
Several of the studies discussed how sound exposure affects gene expression and enzyme activity. In plants, sound was shown to activate genes associated with growth, stress tolerance, and energy metabolism. Enzyme activities such as those of amylase and H-plus ATPase were elevated under musical stimulation. These findings suggest that the effects of sound are not superficial but occur at a molecular level, influencing how cells regulate and execute essential biological functions.
5. Boost in Valuable Biochemical Compounds
All the studies observed a rise in beneficial biochemical compounds when sound was applied. In plants, there was an increase in protein content, chlorophyll levels, starch accumulation, and secondary metabolites like phenolic compounds. Algae also demonstrated improved lipid production and higher carbohydrate levels. These outcomes have significant implications for agriculture, food production, and biotechnology.
6. Natural and Musical Sounds Are Effective Stimuli
Interestingly, both musical compositions and naturally inspired sounds were found to produce beneficial effects. The G.D. Goenka University study reported enhanced growth under traditional Indian music. In algae, a sound piece titled “Blues for Elle” triggered notable increases in productivity. This indicates that the type of sound does not need to be synthetic or highly controlled, and that even complex acoustic environments can be biologically meaningful.
7. Agricultural and Biotechnological Potential
The application of sound in controlled environments offers new opportunities in agriculture and biotechnology. In plant systems, sound can be used to improve seed germination, flowering, and nutrient uptake. In algae, it can enhance biomass production and lipid yields. These benefits can be harnessed to improve food security, sustainable farming, and biofuel generation, making sound a low-cost and non-invasive tool for boosting productivity.
8. Need for Continued Research and Standardization
While the studies provide promising evidence, all of them emphasized the preliminary nature of the findings. More controlled and large-scale experiments are needed to better understand the mechanisms behind acoustic stimulation. There is also a call for standardized protocols, as current studies vary widely in their methods and measurements. Nevertheless, the consistency of positive outcomes across different organisms and environments shows a strong foundation for future exploration.
This research offers the potential to enhance plant growth and quality in a non-invasive way. This can assist with the transformation of agricultural production organically. With further testing at CNU College of Medicine, we have the potential to harness specific sound frequencies across multiple species to uncover their effects on organic growth levels. We can start by exposing one species to multiple different frequencies over a span of 6-8 weeks to observe which frequency enhanced growth the most. We can then replace the plant with a new species, and observe the same study to see which frequency the species responded to most. Ideally this study would observe between 6-10 different plant species to allow researchers to determine patterns between favorable frequencies and less favorable frequencies.
STUDY 1
Proposed Plant - 10 Tomato Plants - 1 for each sound exposure
Proposed Time - 6 Weeks
Proposed Volume - 90 decibel (dB)
Proposed Light - continuous light of approximately 150 ± 10 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (a photosynthetically active radiation level).
Proposed Temperature - 22 ± 1 °C is approximately 71.6 ± 1.8 °F in Fahrenheit
Proposed Frequencies - Full List of Solfeggio Frequencies + 1 no music
174 Hz – Known for Foundation, Pain ReliefSupports physical healing and a sense of safety.
285 Hz – Known for Healing Tissue and OrgansPromotes regeneration of cells and energy fields.
396 Hz – Known for Liberating Guilt and FearReleases fear, guilt, and subconscious blocks.
417 Hz – Known for Facilitating Change and Undoing TraumaHelps break negative cycles and encourages transformation.
528 Hz – Known for Transformation and DNA RepairKnown as the “Love frequency”; promotes healing and harmony.
639 Hz – Known for Harmonizing RelationshipsImproves communication, connection, and forgiveness.
741 Hz – Known for Awakening Intuition and ConsciousnessCleanses toxins and opens a path to inner truth.
852 Hz – Known for Returning to Spiritual OrderReconnects with higher self and spiritual insight.
963 Hz – Known for Divine Connection and EnlightenmentActivates the pineal gland; opens access to higher realms.
No Music - Practically silent sound exposure under 25 Hz
STUDY 2
Proposed Plant - 10 Strawberry Plants - 1 for each sound exposure
Proposed Time - 6 Weeks
Proposed Volume - 90 decibel (dB)
Proposed Light - continuous light of approximately 150 ± 10 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (a photosynthetically active radiation level).
Proposed Temperature - 22 ± 1 °C is approximately 71.6 ± 1.8 °F in Fahrenheit
Proposed Frequencies - Full List of Solfeggio Frequencies + 1 no music
174 Hz – Known for Foundation, Pain ReliefSupports physical healing and a sense of safety.
285 Hz – Known for Healing Tissue and OrgansPromotes regeneration of cells and energy fields.
396 Hz – Known for Liberating Guilt and FearReleases fear, guilt, and subconscious blocks.
417 Hz – Known for Facilitating Change and Undoing TraumaHelps break negative cycles and encourages transformation.
528 Hz – Known for Transformation and DNA RepairKnown as the “Love frequency”; promotes healing and harmony.
639 Hz – Known for Harmonizing RelationshipsImproves communication, connection, and forgiveness.
741 Hz – Known for Awakening Intuition and ConsciousnessCleanses toxins and opens a path to inner truth.
852 Hz – Known for Returning to Spiritual OrderReconnects with higher self and spiritual insight.
963 Hz – Known for Divine Connection and EnlightenmentActivates the pineal gland; opens access to higher realms.
No Music - Practically silent sound exposure under 25 Hz
STUDY 3
Proposed Plant - 10 Chickpea Plants - 1 for each sound exposure
Proposed Time - 6 Weeks
Proposed Volume - 90 decibel (dB)
Proposed Light - continuous light of approximately 150 ± 10 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ (a photosynthetically active radiation level).
Proposed Temperature - 22 ± 1 °C is approximately 71.6 ± 1.8 °F in Fahrenheit
Proposed Frequencies - Full List of Solfeggio Frequencies + 1 no music
174 Hz – Known for Foundation, Pain ReliefSupports physical healing and a sense of safety.
285 Hz – Known for Healing Tissue and OrgansPromotes regeneration of cells and energy fields.
396 Hz – Known for Liberating Guilt and FearReleases fear, guilt, and subconscious blocks.
417 Hz – Known for Facilitating Change and Undoing TraumaHelps break negative cycles and encourages transformation.
528 Hz – Known for Transformation and DNA RepairKnown as the “Love frequency”; promotes healing and harmony.
639 Hz – Known for Harmonizing RelationshipsImproves communication, connection, and forgiveness.
741 Hz – Known for Awakening Intuition and ConsciousnessCleanses toxins and opens a path to inner truth.
852 Hz – Known for Returning to Spiritual OrderReconnects with higher self and spiritual insight.
963 Hz – Known for Divine Connection and EnlightenmentActivates the pineal gland; opens access to higher realms.
No Music - Practically silent sound exposure under 25 Hz
