Sounds emitted by plants under stress are airborne and informative

Itzhak Khait, Ohad Lewin-Epstein, Raz Sharon, Kfir Saban, Revital Goldstein, Yehuda Anikster, Yarden Zeron, Chen Agassy, Shaked Nizan, Gayl Sharabi, Ran Perelman, Arjan Boonman, Nir Sade, Yossi Yovel, Lilach Hadany*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stressed plants show altered phenotypes, including changes in color, smell, and shape. Yet, airborne sounds emitted by stressed plants have not been investigated before. Here we show that stressed plants emit airborne sounds that can be recorded from a distance and classified. We recorded ultrasonic sounds emitted by tomato and tobacco plants inside an acoustic chamber, and in a greenhouse, while monitoring the plant's physiological parameters. We developed machine learning models that succeeded in identifying the condition of the plants, including dehydration level and injury, based solely on the emitted sounds. These informative sounds may also be detectable by other organisms. This work opens avenues for understanding plants and their interactions with the environment and may have significant impact on agriculture.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1328-1336.e10
JournalCell
Volume186
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Mar 2023

Funding

FundersFunder number
Clore Foundation Scholars ProgramWO2020039434A1
Manna Center Program for Food Safety and Security
NVIDIAISF 2064/18, 2658/18
Tel Aviv University

    Keywords

    • airborne sound
    • artificial intelligence
    • drought stress
    • machine learning
    • phytoacoustics
    • plant bioacoustics
    • plant communication
    • plant remote monitoring
    • signaling
    • stress responses

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Sounds emitted by plants under stress are airborne and informative'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this