Effects of low-frequency sound vibrations on growth and physiological parameters in Vicia faba

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of sound vibration on plant growth morphology, physiology and genetic expression. This paper investigates the impact of sound treatment on the physiological responses of Vicia faba L. under controlled climatic conditions, specifically at a frequency of 98 Hz at a sound level of 74 dB. Physiological parameters of the plants were measured under these controlled conditions. The results demonstrate that exposure to 98 Hz can significantly and adversely impact plant parameters, including a 14.2% reduction in chlorophyll content, a 26.7% decrease in stomatal conductance, and reductions of 36.9% and 40.8% in fresh and dry mass of leaves, respectively. From an engineering perspective, the results presented here could inform the design of agricultural devices capable of managing plant growth in the field. For instance, precision agriculture tools could be developed to emit targeted acoustic frequencies that selectively stimulate or inhibit growth in specific crops. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of specific acoustic frequencies in agriculture to significantly influence plant growth as well as considering the fundamental role that temporal dynamics play in plant bioacoustics.