Surprising: here's how music could accelerate crop growth

Are fungi sensitive to sound? An Australian discovery is shaking up our perception of these organisms. An experiment revealed that monotonous noises could influence their development.

Could this discovery transform our agricultural approach? The impact of music on fungal growth is intriguing and suggests new possibilities for sustainable agriculture.


In the face of today's ecological problems, improving soil health is essential. Classical techniques include water management and the use of microbes. However, sound stimulation had so far been overlooked. Yet, it could offer a new path, according to researchers at Flinders University.

The researchers examined the influence of a monotone sound on Trichoderma harzianum, a beneficial fungus known for its positive effects on organic farming. This fungus was exposed to a sound frequency of 8 kHz, inspired by the white noise used to alleviate tinnitus. The exposure lasted 30 minutes a day, at a sound level of 80 decibels, allowing for the evaluation of its effects on the fungus's growth and spore production.

The results are surprising: after just five days of daily exposure, both growth and spore production were significantly improved compared to the non-exposed samples. This finding opens up unexpected possibilities.

The researchers suggest that this effect could be due to piezoelectric phenomena. These occur when sound waves create mechanical pressure, which is converted into electrical energy, influencing cellular functioning. Another explanation is based on mechanoreceptors present in fungal membranes, similar to those in human skin. These receptors may trigger genetic mechanisms that promote growth when they are stimulated by sound.

While the initial results are promising, scientists believe further studies are needed. They are particularly curious about the potential impact of other types of sounds or natural noises on the symbiosis between plants and fungi.

This research could potentially improve soil restoration by proposing a sound-based approach to promoting biodiversity and resilience within agricultural ecosystems.

What is the piezoelectric effect?

The piezoelectric effect is a physical phenomenon in which mechanical pressure applied to certain materials, such as crystals or biological tissues, is converted into an electrical charge. Sound waves can cause this pressure, generating a weak electric current that influences cellular processes.

In living organisms, this effect has already been observed in peptides, proteins, and even viruses. When it comes to fungi, like those studied by the Australian researchers, this electric current could modulate biochemical reactions responsible for growth or reproduction.

The interest in this effect for agriculture lies in its ability to indirectly stimulate organisms present in the soil, thereby opening up avenues for improving soil health and promoting plant growth without the use of chemicals.

What are mechanoreceptors, and how do they respond to sound?

Mechanoreceptors are sensory receptors found in cellular membranes, capable of detecting physical stimuli such as pressure or vibrations. In fungi, as in humans, these receptors play a key role in detecting mechanical changes in the environment.

When sound waves cause vibrations, the mechanoreceptors are activated. This can trigger a series of biochemical reactions that alter the activity of certain genes. In fungi, this stimulation could influence their growth or ability to produce spores.

Research into fungal mechanoreceptors paves the way for applications in agriculture. By stimulating these receptors with sound, we could influence fungal and plant interactions, promoting faster and more efficient plant growth.