In the photograph, Professors Lilach Hadany and Yossi Yovel are seen conducting their experiment.
Photo Source: Video screenshot from “The Times of Israel”
In a groundbreaking study, scientists at Tel Aviv University have recorded what can be described as plants ‘talking’, unveiling a hidden world of plant communication. This pioneering research has revolutionized our understanding of how plants interact with their environment and each other. Traditionally, plants have been seen as silent and passive. However, the Tel Aviv University team has challenged this view by showing that plants emit sounds in response to various stressors. These ultrasonic sounds, which are inaudible to the human ear, may serve as a form of communication between plants, suggesting a more complex interaction with their surroundings than previously thought. They published their findings in the journal Cell (Cell 2023, 186, 1328–1336).
Plants communicate through clicking noises that resemble the sound of popcorn popping. These sounds are emitted at volumes comparable to human speech, but at frequencies too high for human ears to detect. Professor Lilach Hadany, from the university’s School of Plant Sciences and Food Security, co-led the study and remarked, “we resolved a very old scientific controversy. We proved that plants do emit sounds!”
A test configuration aimed at capturing the auditory signals emitted by a pincushion cactus.
Photo Source: Tel Aviv University
Researchers conducted an experiment in both an acoustic chamber and a greenhouse, recording ultrasonic sounds emitted by tomato and tobacco plants while simultaneously monitoring their physiological parameters. They discovered that stressed plants emitted significantly more sounds, ranging from 40 to 80 kilohertz, compared to unstressed ones. By training machine learning models, they were able to associate these sounds with specific plant species and the stresses they experienced, such as dehydration or injury. For instance, tomato plants emitted minimal sounds when adequately watered, but the frequency increased and then decreased as they dried up over subsequent days. To validate their findings, the researchers conducted a survey on various plant species, including wheat, corn, cabernet sauvignon grapes, pincushion cacti, and henbit, successfully capturing sounds from each.
This discovery highlights the interconnectedness of all life forms and the importance of every organism in maintaining ecological balance. Understanding plant communication deepens our appreciation for the complexity of nature and emphasizes the need to preserve biodiversity. It prompts a reevaluation of our relationship with the environment, encouraging a more respectful and symbiotic coexistence with plants. Embracing this knowledge can lead to a future where humanity lives in harmony with nature, promoting mutual flourishing for generations to come.
-Editorial Board
Ankuram Academy
