Chapter 2 - Final

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The Effect of Acoustic, Electric and Metal Guitar Music to the

Growth of Cucumber Plant
by
Osting, Patricia Angela T.
Panagsagan, Jerome B.
Patacsil, Anthony John S.
Roque, Joshua B.
Saliendra, Marc Jason F.
Santos, Joshua James B.
Tabaquirao, Paolo Daniello D.
Taragua, Dennis Noel R.
Tinio, John Christian B.
Tiu, Braian M.
Vargas, Raiah Sherina L.
September 2017
CHAPTER 2
Online Review of Related Literature
The potential of plants to response to sound waves was way gone over by theorists and
scientists a 100 years ago like Charles Darwin who attempted using bassoon notes and other
instruments. Various experiments were done within the involve of range of frequency of what
only human sensed until electronic oscillators in relation to ultrasound with frequencies 20000 to
50000 CPS finally produced noticeable results towards plant growth. Comparison was done
between the ability of numerous mammals in hearing and the range of frequency that will
produce a positive outcome for stimulating plant. Greater growth is seemingly stimulated by
higher frequencies. (Byers, 1984)
Direct external interferences in the environment of the plant like shaking, touching, or
vibration affects higher plant growth, development, and orientation. Plant growth responses to
direct forces are almost always negative, compared to the growth responses to vibrational
disturbances which can be effective or not, depending on exposure of force relative to strength
and time, and prevailing state of the surrounding. (Mitchell, 1992)
In an experiment conducted by Dorothy Retallack, she found out that plants that are
exposed to music for a certain period of time has great impact to its growth. First group of her
plant experiment was exposed to music for 8 hours. The second group was also exposed to the
same music but instead of 8 hours, 3 hours was its maximum. The third group (Control group)
remained in silence. She later found out that the first group died, while the second group grew
much better than the third group. The length of time when music is exposed to plants was her
independent variable, while the growth of the plant was the dependent variable. To summarize
her findings, the length of time a plant is exposed a music has significance effect on its growth.
(Mazlan, 2017)
According to the documentation of experiment of Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, plants are Commented [WGTCLPT1]: when was it done?
sensitive to external environment, such as cold, heat, light and noise. The independent variables
were the external factors in environment that affect the growth of plant (Dependent variable).
“Noise” or some researches says, “vibration” do affect the growth of plants. (Ibid)
An experiment was conducted by the head if the Botany Department at India’s

Annamalia University name Dr. T. C. Singh (1962), he try to test whether if there is an effect to
the growth rate if a plant with the use musical sounds. Dr. Singh notice that there is a certain Commented [WGTCLPT2]: check grammar
change in the plants, he applied his experiment to balsam plants wherein base on his observation
the plant accelerated its growth rate by 20% in its height and by 72% to biomass while the plants
are being exposed to classical music. While on the other hand he experimented again with the
same plant but different music in which he used raga music. Raga music is set of rhythms and
notes, this is played through various instruments such as flute, violin, harmonium, and reena.
Reena is a type of an Indian instrument. At the end of his experiment with raga music he came
up with same effects. He conducted the same experiment in the field crops using raga music by
exposing the plants to a gramophone and loudspeakers. Singh’s experiment increased the size of
the crops that is above the regional averaged ranging from 25% to 60%. With all the experiments
that Singh conducted, he later on concluded that the music has different effect to plants and the
sound that has huge effect to the growth of plant is the sound of violin. Singh not only focused in
musical instruments but he also conducted an experiment using the vibrations of the barefoot
dancing. He used Bharat-Natyam, it is an ancient dance style in India in which it is perform with
no musical accompaniment. Base in the observation of Singh he notice that the flowers bloomed
earlier that the usual rate like petunias and marigold, wherein this flowers flowered two weeks
earlier. Later on Singh not only focused his experiment to plants but also to the seeds, he
exposed them to music and it changed the genetic chromosomes of plants. The plant produced a
lot more leaves, increased the size and also the characteristics of the plant is being improves.In
summary the vibration can have effect to the growth of the plant depending in which genre will
be used. In Singh’s experiment, he comes up with different outcome since he used different Commented [WGTCLPT3]: all verbs are in the past tense,
since they are already done
methods and amount of vibration to the plants. (Ibid)
The experiment of Anindita Roy Chowdhury and Anshu Gupta found out similar findings
to Chivukula and Ramaswamy. Chowdhury and Gupta noted that “non-rhythmic and
unharmonious superposition of various audio frequencies was observed to have a negative effect
on the growth of plant.” The independent variable in their research was the various audio
frequencies they used to expose to plants, while the dependent variable is the growth of plants. In
summary, high frequencies have negative effect on the growth of plants. (Chowdhury & Gupta,
n.d.)
The sound waves in 0.4 kHz of SF and 90 decibels of SPL (Sound Pressure Level) made
an important development on the membrane protein structure. It assures that the secondary
structure of membrane protein is very sensitive to the stimulation of the sound waves and it
increases the fluidity of the plasma membrane. Sound stimulation at a SF of 1 kHz and SPL of
100 decibels build up the soluble protein and sugar in cytoplast, which express higher
metabolism level and active state of cell division in the stimulation of sound waves. Sound
waves increased the mycelium (fungus) growth by about 15%, boost fruiting, achieved earlier
maturity and prolong the picking period by 3- 8 days. The stimulation depends on the different
kinds of sound wave. The different sound waves produce different results in the production of
protein in the cell membrane that it increases the production of metabolism and cell division
which promotes faster development of the plant. The independent variable is sound waves
wherein Sound waves are the source to stimulate the plants. The dependent variable is membrane
protein structure wherein the membrane produces various effects according to what type of
sound waves. This RL is reliable to the study of the researcher because it will provide as our
stand on why tones can have an effect on plants. (R. Hassanein& E. Hassanein, 2014)
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego discovered a few years ago that a
plant’s stoma can be opened by exposing it to a certain frequency. Just so it is clear a plant’s
stoma (“stomata” for plural) is the part of the plant which allows movement of gases in and out
of the spaces between the plant cells. The two specialized cells that form the stoma are guard
cells. They are tuned to the resonant frequency (meaning a frequency that causes a body to get
“excited”) of calcium. The stomata close when exposed to this frequency; however, if the
frequency is not exactly right, the cells will open within an hour even if a high concentration of
calcium is present (this concentration will normally cause the stomata to close). Experiments
have also shown high tones were more or less directly responsible for an increase in gas
exchange that may span for more than one hour. The Independent Variable here is Music
wherein the music used by Kroeze (n.d), were defined as “specific music, high tones, or bird
songs” These sounds cause the plant to vibrate but not at the frequency for calcium resonance
after a lapse of time. The Dependent Variable is Influence since the influence of music has on the
plants will change depending on what kind of music is played. The research suggests that plants
may prefer the purer tones of classical music rather than the distortion and overdrive effects on
guitars in heavy metal.
One more thing that may be able to explain the effect of music on plants is shell
resonance. Shell resonance is a theory which states that the amino-acids in proteins are
synthesized in-tune to vibrations. Each amino acid has its own frequency and as such, the
proteins also have a certain range of frequency. So theoretically, the correct sequence of tones
should stimulate the creation of proteins by resonance. (Ibid)
Several different professionals have found evidence that may support the positive effect
of music on plant growth. An Indian botanist in 1962 found that certain plants grew 20% in
height when exposed to music along with a greater growth in biomass. The same botanist played
music through loudspeakers that were placed around the field and found similar results in
agricultural crops (i.e. peanuts, rice and tobacco). A Colorado greenhouse owner discovered that
plants “listening” to rock music deteriorated quickly and died within a couple of weeks; on the
other hand, those that were exposed to classical music thrived/grew better. An Illinois researcher
found that soy and corn plants grew thicker and greener with significantly larger yields when he
exposed them to music. Researchers at a Canadian university found a double in harvest yields of
wheat crops when exposed to high-frequency vibrations.
Dyer states that it seems to be more of the vibrations created by music rather than the
sounds that produce an effect on the plants. Simply put, vibrations cause the plant’s cells to move
and also stimulate the plant to produce more nutrients. He also states that plants do not respond
too well to rock music because the vibrations it produces create greater pressure that is not
beneficial to plant growth.
Despite all this information, researchers at the University of California do not jump to
conclusions about the effects of music on plant growth. They say that there is no conclusive
scientific evidence so far to say that it actually does have an effect; furthermore, they say that
more scientific tests are needed that also control other things like light, water, and soil
consumption. They also suggest that plants that listen to music may thrive because they are taken
care of with special attention.(Dyer, 2017). The independent variable is Music. Two specific
genres of music were mentioned; namely, rock and classical. These two genres have produced
largely different effects on the plants they were exposed to. Referring to the independent
variable, the plants that were exposed to rock music “deteriorated quickly” and “died within a
couple of weeks” showing that the kind of music that is played does indeed have different effects
on the plants. The effect of music on plant growth has been shown by the collective results of
past researchers. The musical genres of rock and classical seem to generally have opposite
effects on the plants they are exposed to with rock music making things worse for plant growth
while classical having the opposite effect.
Using the knowledge of collective researches from the past, Dyer (2017), has come up
with the idea that the plants may respond to specifically vibrations caused by music and not
music itself. Specifically rock music has shown to make plants grow worse and inevitably kill
them in the span of around two weeks while classical music has benefited plant growth and
increased its size and amount that can be harvested. And now the variables can be related
through the independent’s (music) effect on the dependent (plant growth) as the growth of the
plant relies on the type of music that it will be exposed to.
In 1962, an Indian botanist conducted several experiments on music and plant growth. He
found that certain plants grew 20 percent in height when exposed to music, with a considerably
greater growth in biomass. He found similar results for agricultural crops, such as peanuts,
riceand tobacco, when he played music through loudspeakers placed around the field. A
Colorado greenhouse owner experimented with several types of plants and various genres of
music. She determined that plants “listening” to rock music deteriorated quickly and died within
a couple of weeks, while plants thrived when exposed to classical music. A researcher in Illinois
was skeptical that plants respond positively to music, so he engaged in a few highly controlled
greenhouse experiments. Surprisingly, he found that soy and corn plants exposed to music were
thicker and greener with significantly larger yields. Researchers at a Canadian university
discovered that harvest yields of wheat crops nearly doubled when exposed to high-frequency
vibrations. (Ibid)
When it comes to understanding the effects of music on plant growth, it appears that it
isn’t so much about the “sounds” of the music, but more to do with the vibrations created by the
sound waves. In simple terms, the vibrations produce movement in the plant cells, which
stimulates the plant to produce more nutrients. If plants don’t respond well to rock music, it isn’t
because they “like” classical better. However, the vibrations produced by loud rock music create
greater pressure that isn’t conducive to plant growth. (Ibid)
Researchers at the University of California aren’t so quick to jump to conclusions about
the effects of music on plant growth. They say that so far there is no conclusive scientific
evidence that playing music for plants helps them grow, and that more scientific tests are needed
with rigorous control over factors such as light, water and soil composition. Interestingly, they
suggest that plants exposed to music may thrive because they receive top-level care and special
attention from their caretakers. (Ibid)
In the article by Michelson (2014), wherein she said that there are music that can help
plants survive and thrive in their habitats. She explained that there were scientists who
experimented this with the use of the sound of a caterpillar that is chewing and discovered that
the plant produces more mustard oils, which is a defense mechanism of plants for it is
unappealing to many caterpillars. Meaning that plants could hear for they tend to be alert of
caterpillars’ eating sounds which leads them to produce more mustard oils than with no sounds.
Printed Review of Related Literature
In the book “The Truth About Garden Remedies: What Works, What Doesn't & Why” by
indicated that there was a book written by Retallack that had explained the effects of different
types of music to plants. Wherein she observed it and found out that there are some types that
can help plant growth and others that can hurt plant growth. Later on she conducted an
experiment with a water in a beaker that is exposed to both heavy and light music. She found out
that in the heavy music the water evaporated faster than the light music meaning that rock music
leads the plants to faster moisture so it harms the plants. The music can help or hurt the growth
of plants if it is soft or loud music. (Gillman, 2006)
Since plants are immobile, they are continually exposed to their ever changing active
environment, with different reactions to cope with external stimuli subject to their life
maintenance. Research over hundreds of years has recognized that plants respond to
environmental factors. These stimulus basically makes the plant tolerant and immune (to
pathogens for an instance). Sound vibrations induce molecular episodes within the cell.
Researchers suggest that sound vibrations increase the production of RNA, soluble protein
content, and carry increased development in plants. (Bae, Ghosh, Mishra, 2016)
References
Byers, T.J. (1984). Organic Gardening: Plant Growth. Retrieved September 14, 2017,
fromhttps://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/plant-growth-zmaz84mjzloeck
Chowdhury, A. R., & Gupta, A. (2015). Effect of Music on Plants – An Overview. India: AGSI
Publications.
Dyer, M. H. (2017, May 03). Music And Plant Growth: Learn The Effects Of Music On Plant
Growth. Retrieved September 14, 2017, fromhttps://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-
to/info/how-music-affects-plant-growth.htm
Gillman, J. (2006). The Truth About Garden Remedies:What Works, What Doesn't & Why.
Timber Press.
Hassanein, R. &Hassanein, E.(2014). Andvaces in Effects of Sound Waves on Plants. Retrieved
September 14, 2017
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260167970_Advances_in_Effects_of_Sound_Waves_o
n_Plants
Kroeze, D., MSc. (n.d.). Influence of Music on Plants. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from
http://www.cannagardening.com/influence_of_music_on_plants
Mazlan. (2017, May 23). The Effect of Music on Plant Growth. Retrieved September 14, 2017
from dengarden: https://dengarden.com/gardening/the-effect-of-music-on-plant-growth
Michelson, M. (2014, July 8). Do Plants Hear?. RetrievedSeptember 14, 2017 from
https://www.calacademy.org/explore-science/do-plants-hear
Mishra, R.C., Ghosh R., &Bae, H. (2016).Plant acoustics: in the search of a sound mechanism
for sound signaling in plants. Journal of Experimental Botany
Mitchell, C.A. (1992). "Plant Growth Responses". Retrieved September 14, 2017,
fromhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11536960

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Chapter 2 - Final

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University of Perpetual Help System DALTA 1

The Effect of Acoustic, Electric and Metal Guitar Music to the

An experiment was conducted by the head if the Botany Department at India’s

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