<\/p>\n
MIT engineers have found the first direct evidence that plant seeds can sense sounds in nature: Rice submerged in shallow water germinated 30% to 40% more quickly when exposed to vibrations from water dripping on the surface. They think other types of seeds may respond similarly.<\/p>\n
When a raindrop hits a puddle\u2019s surface or the ground, the researchers found, the vibrations from the resulting sound wave can be strong enough to dislodge tiny gravity-\u00adsensing organelles called statoliths. The jostling of these statoliths is a signal for seeds and seedlings to grow and sprout, even if only the sound waves\u2014not the water itself\u2014are close enough to reach them. This phenomenon may confer a biological advantage: If seeds are close enough to the surface to respond to the sound of rain, they are likely at an optimal depth to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat this study is saying is that seeds can sense sound in ways that can help them survive,\u201d says Nicholas Makris \u201983, PhD \u201991, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, who coauthored a paper on the work with Cadine Navarro, SM\u00a0\u201925, a former graduate student in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. \u201cThe energy of the rain sound is enough to accelerate a seed\u2019s growth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
#Plants #detect #patter #falling #rain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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