Practice of Sound Technology in Agriculture

Sound techniques are emerging in many crops, from rice to tomatoes and in vineyards. Quite a lot of dairy farmers play classical music when milking their cows. Several advisors offer sound-services to farms and gardens. Various universities have started research in this domain.

Yields are reported to increase by 15 to over 50 %. Several experiments report an increased resilience, e.g. against disease, fungi or insects or in growing crops on brackish water. Even taste of food and drinks seems to improve.

Reports suggest techniques are cost-effective: the higher quantity and better quality food appear to outweigh the costs of offering specific sound frequencies to crop or herd. What does it cost to put some amplifiers around the field or in the barn?

Music on grapes in Switzerland.

It increased the sugar content of the grapes between 5 to 15%

There is not one technique, but many different ways music, sound frequencies or special sounds can influence plant’s life.

Research indicates that plants thrive if soothing music is played in the background. However, they shrivel and die if exposed to loud and heavy music.

Promoters of sound techniques claim farmers could substantially reduce the quantities of fertilizers and pesticides.

Different frequencies reportedly influence plant life.

1. Classic music
2. Protein music to regulate biological processes.
3. Sonic Bloom techniques inspired by Bird songs around 5000 Hz.
4. Ultrasonics and infrasounds experiments.
5. Electromagnetic and radio wave effects in relation to sound.
6. Response of plant growth and health to emotion and attention in relation to music.
7. Relevance of 432 Hz tuned music and sound.

The first PhD studies on these techniques are appearing.

• Zyl van, Pieter Johannes Jacobus, 2012. Radio Frequency Energy for Bioelectric Stimulation of Plants. Dissertation M-TECH in Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Doorne van Yannick, 2000. Thesis. Invloed van variabele geluidsfrequenties op de groei en ontwikkeling van planten. Hogeschool Gent, Belgie. Landbouw Hogeschool in samenwerking met de Rijksuniversiteit Gent.