Do plants talk? Studies Show They Make Noises, Especially When They're Under Stress – Executive Summary

A recent scientific study indicates that plants are not just silent and immobile creatures, as previously thought. According to research, plants make crackling or crackling sounds at ultrasonic frequencies when they are under stress, indicating a surprisingly sophisticated communication mechanism.

The research was conducted by experts from Tel Aviv University in Israel and Published last year in the journal CellIt reveals that ultrasonic sounds are emitted by plants in response to stress. These sounds are beyond the reach of the human ear, but some animals can pick them up, suggesting a form of vocal interaction that is still not well understood.

Lilash Hadani, an evolutionary biologist and leader of the research, explained the importance of the sounds emitted by plants: “Even in a field that seems silent, there is actually an orchestra of sounds that we cannot hear. These sounds are not just background noise, because they carry valuable information.

The research team conducted several tests to confirm the relationship between plant stress and the emission of these sounds. Using sensitive equipment, scientists were able to capture and analyze the ultrasound emissions of plants when they were exposed to different types of stress, such as water shortages or mechanical damage.

“Our research suggests that plants are capable of communicating more complexly than previously thought. These discoveries challenge the traditional view that plants are passive organisms, and suggest that they have sophisticated mechanisms for responding to their environment.”

The implications of this discovery are broad and could have a major impact on several areas, from agriculture to the environment. Understanding how plants communicate their stresses can lead to the development of new agricultural techniques and conservation strategies.

“If we can decipher the language of plants, we might be able to improve their health and increase crop productivity, for example,” the biologist added.