“The Impact of Sound Frequency to the Growth of Corn and Rice Sprouts”

by: Kevin Errol Hermosisima

Kenu Jose Gonzaga
Honey Elesterio
Francine Aguirre

Background of the study

There are several conditions ensured to grow a plant; water, soil,

sunlight, air, and sometimes location or environment. Yet, many have

considered sound environment to be a factor to a plants growth. According to

the National Institute of Health, sound stimuli influences the rate of

germination and plant growth. Sound stimulates the plant, regulating the plant

growth hormone(indole-3-acetic acid) and gibberellin (Bochu et al… 2004).

Yet in some studies, growth may differ due to the types of plant, or exposure

to the level, intensity, or the type of sound. The researchers wishes to

investigate more about the given case.

According to Pixton(1977), loud and high frequency sound tones

increased sprouting and growth of rate of plant seedlings. In the researchers

study titled “Plant Growth in a Sound Polluted Environment”, the researcher

built three part box compartment; one is set to be the controlled variable, and

the other two are exposed to different levels of sound. The researcher

discovered the manipulated group that was subjected to different levels of

sound, a difference of 2 cm more height, compared to the controlled group.

Taking into account, the ambient conditions for each plant were the same;

room conditions and lighting or exposure to sunlight.

Another study conducted by Weinberger and Measures(1969),from the

University of Ottawa, where they experimented spring wheat (Marquis) and

winter wheat (Rideau). Similar to the first study, the researchers tested
different levels of frequencies. Yet, unlike the first study, they observed the

plants during the germination period, growth period, and both at the same

time. The researchers discovered an increased growth of the plant from the

growth stimulation, subjected to 5kH, compared to the control group, or

without being subjected to sound.

Additionally, Woodlief et al…(1969), wrote a paper about the impact of

random noise to tobacco plants. In which the researchers refrained the use of

a controlled group to identify the growth of the subjected plant. It was later

concluded that the plants growth rate decreased, after being exposed to the

noise. The researchers also further stated, how initial plant size is correlated

to the impact of noise environment to the growth of the tobacco plant; smaller

plants are more sensitive to the random noise environment.

Sound, and noise pollution influences the plants growth in germination

and growth period. While random noise compromises growth, the right

frequency level of the sound, relative to the size of the plant insures optimal

growth. But for the given to be achieved, a customized setting is utilized.

Compartment, box, or makeshift chamber suitable for planting, is used to

separate the controlled group, from plants subjected to sounds of different

frequencies.

In the study, the researchers are interested to investigate the impact of

sound frequency, to the growth of crops. Local crops, particularly corn and

rice will be observed in the study. Using a makeshift compartment made from

a glass container, a controlled group(no sound) and a manipulated

group(subjected to different level of sound frequency) will be utilized to

observe the growth of the two different crop. The researchers wish to draw
significant conclusions from the experiment, hoping to explain more about the

relationship between sound frequency level, and plant growth.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to test the impact sound frequency, to the growth of

corn and rice sprouts. The researchers are determined to answer the

following questions:

1. What is the regular growth period of corn and rice sprouts, exposed to

inconsistent or randomized sound frequency

I. Corn sprouts

II. Rice sproutsb

2. How much growth has the corn, and rice sprouts accumulated in its regular

growth period?

I. Corn sprouts

a. Length

b. Color of the leaves

c. Diameter of the leaves

d. Width of stem

II. Rice sprouts

a. Length

b. Color of the leaves

c. Diameter of the leaves

d. Width of the stem

3. What is the growth period of the corn and rice sprouts, exposed to

constant levels of sound frequency?

I. Constant low frequency

II. Constant moderate frequency

III. Constant high frequency

4. How much growth has the corn and rice sprouts accumulated during its

growth period, when exposed to different levels of sound frequency?

I. Constant low frequency

a. Length

b. Color of the leaves

c. Diameter of the leaves

d. Width of the stem

II. Constant moderate frequency

a. Length

b. Color of the leaves

c. Diameter of the leaves

d. Width of the stem

III. Constant high frequency

a. Length

b. Color of the leaves

c. Diameter of the leaves

d. Width of the stem

Theoretical Framework

Sound energy is produced from the result of vibration. These vibrations

apparently, vary their likeness by intensity, and frequency. The higher the

intensity, the lower the frequency. The higher the frequency, the lower the

intensity. Organisms with the perception of sound can easily perceive the

difference, and stimulated based on psychological differences. Plants were

found to be organisms that have psychological sensitivity to varying sounds.

Plants have relative sensitivity, and have stimulation due to vibrations

and sound waves, especially from music (Dr. TC Singh, 1962). According to

Dr. D. Hes(2020), plants have particular taste for music. Its comfortable to

music at 115Hz to 250Hz, as these particular levels are similar to the sound

the nature produces. Plants seem to enjoy music for 1-3 hours only.

Additionally, sounds make the stomata open for longer periods of time, which

leads to more quality respiration.

While comfortable or preferred sound are referred to as “music”,

“noise” is described as the opposite. Woodlief, et al…(1969) described noise,

to be a hinder to a plants growth. The researchers exposed tobacco plants to

noise, where a decrease of plant growth was observed, compared to the

control group.

Like any organism, plants have sound perceptions, and preferences.

These preferences, and individual psychological reactions, could either

stimulate the plant to more growth, or hinder the plant’s growth.

The researchers will test the impact of sound frequency, to the growth

of corn and rice sprouts, while having a control variable variable and treating
 both subjects with the same amount of water, sunlight, quality of soil and

oxygen.

Conceptual Framework

The researchers utilizes IV-DV to illustrate the possible relationship of

exposure of sound frequency, to the growth of plants. The exposure of sound

will be the IV(Independent Variable), and the DV(Dependent Variable) will be

the growth of plants. These paradigm will also include a control variable. The

quality of soil, oxygen, exposure to sunlight, and amount of water will be the

same. Both the subject exposed to different sound frequencies, and subject

exposed to random or no sound frequency will have the same same

conditions, or control variable. The design will also show the impact of noise

to plants growth.

Noise or Stagnant, or
unpreferred level of Exposure exceeds decrease in growth
sound; exceeds 3 hours of the plant
250 Hz

IV DV
Preferred sound
frequency of More respiration; Significant growth
sound, that the stomata in plants, and
emulates the opens up much improvements in
sound of nature; longer overall plant health
115-250 Hz

Moderating factors;
CV
a. Water
b. Sunlight
c. Quality of soil
d. Oxygen
Figure 1. It illustrates the theoretical framework.

Significance of the Study

This study is determined to investigate the impact of sound frequency

to the growth of corn and rice sprouts. The findings of this study will be

beneficial to the following groups of people:

Farmers. The direct recipient of the research, will be the farmers. The

findings will give them an insight on how to assess the sound frequency, and

exposure to enhance plant health and overall growth of crops. It also alerts

the farmers from effects of noise, and its tendency to hinder the growth of

crops.

Consumer. This will also be beneficial for them because as a

consumer, they should know the quality of the products. And at the market,

when the buyer’s notice that the products are not good, they will find another

brand to buy because they are not satisfied to the product.

Agricultural Researchers. The researchers, agricultural researchers

in particular, will benefit from the findings of the study. The study will become

part of the research and information database for this field and subject. It also

addresses gaps, for future and innovative attempts of investigating the

significance of plants exposure, to different levels of sound frequencies, be it

music or noise.

Future Researchers. The findings of this study will aid in addressing

research gaps and fill the information and research database for this particular

field of study.
Definition of Terms

In order to facilitate, and improve comprehension, the researchers

defined and described the following words according to its use in the study:

Impact - is the term used to describe the impact that different sound

frequencies have on the growth and development of the corn and rice

sprouts.

Sound- is the vibration that stimulates the plants to improve, or to stagnate

plant growth.

Noise- is a type of sound which stagnate plant growth.

Stimuli/Stimulate- is the psychological reaction of plants. It leads the stomata

to open up for longer periods of time for respiration.

Stomata- is the lungs of the plant. This is where respiration occur in plants.

Sound frequency - is typically measured in Hertz (Hz), which is the quantity

of sound waves or vibrations that occur per unit of time.

Growth - is the expansion of the corn and rice sprouts over a predetermined

time period in terms of size, mass, or development. The length of the plant,

color or quality of the leaves, size or diameter of the leaves, and also the

width of the stem will be measure to describe the “growth”.

Sprouts of corn and rice - are the young, immature plants that are typically

grown from seeds.

Exposure- is how long, or how much the plant is exposed to different sound

treatments.
Compartment/Enclosure- is is a customized box, made from glass. It hosts

the actual soil, for the plants to grow, and made for the sound exposure to be

applied.