The Secret Sounds of Stressed Plants Unveiled by Scientists
TL;DR
Plants emit ultrasonic sounds in rapid bursts when stressed, which nearby creatures may respond to, according to scientists. The sounds are too high-pitched for the human ear, but insects and small mammals can detect them, raising the prospect that the noises might influence their behaviour. The sounds might be useful for nearby creatures, perhaps affecting which plants animals feed on or where insects lay their eggs. The discovery could make irrigation more efficient by using microphones alongside other sensors to detect when plants are short on water.
- Plants emit ultrasonic sounds in rapid bursts when stressed, scientists say The Guardian
- Plants aren't silent. They make clicking sounds, a study finds CNN
- This Is What It Sounds Like When Plants Cry The New York Times
- Plants shriek with high pitched ultrasonic clicks when stressed: study Business Insider
- Scientists detect ultrasonic popping sounds from plants when they are deprived of water – audio The Guardian
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