Music and Plant Growth

Complexity level:	8
Project cost ($):	30
Time required:	1 day to prepare, 14 days for the science project experiment
Material availability:	Easily found
Safety concerns:	Basic safety requirements

Hypothesis

Playing classical music beside the plant everyday will make it grow faster.

Overview

Music and plants

The effect of music on plant growth is still a debatable subject among scientists and experts. Many experiments have been performed by both scientists and students to prove that plants can grow better and faster when they are provided with musical stimulation.

Music actually consists of sound waves that travel through the air at varying frequencies and finally reaching our ear drums to be recognized as sound and music. When the plant is exposed to the same music, it also receives the same sound waves and could in fact be receiving some form of stimuli that we are yet able to understand.

The experiments done by scientists have shown that some plants grew more quickly after being exposed to musical stimulation. Most scientists will agree that seeds that are exposed to music will actually be able to germinate faster.

There are also those who are of the opinion that plants that are exposed to music may in fact be receiving better care and attention, and therefore grow more quickly. When someone speaks or sings to plants, they may possibly be supplying the plant with additional carbon dioxide that the plants will need to grow faster.

Scientific Terms

Sound waves, frequencies, stimuli, germinate

Materials

The materials required for this science fair project:
- 1 packet of radish seeds
- 2 plastic pots
- Soil required for the 2 pots
- A CD player
- A classical music CD
- tap water
- Ruler (1 meter)

Procedure

1. For this science fair project, the independent variable is the musical stimulation given to the plants. The dependent variable is the growth of the radish plants. This is determined by measuring the height of the 10 plants in each group and calculating their average height. The constants (control variables) are the amount of water used, the amount of sunlight received and the type of plants used.

2. The 2 pots are filled with the same amount of soil and labeled A and B respectively. Ten radish seeds are placed in each pot. (More than 10 radish seeds can be used in each pot in case some of the seeds do not germinate. Once they start to geminate, remove the unwanted plants from the pots). The radish seeds are placed at least 20mm away from each other in the same pot.

3. The pots are both placed where they are able to receive the same amount of sunlight every day. Both pots are also watered with the same amount of water, twice everyday.

4. The pot labeled A is placed beside the CD player for 3 hours everyday with classical music being played. At the same time, the pot labeled B is kept away from the musical sound.

5. The height of the plants is measured everyday and their average height is calculated and recorded in the table given below.

Results

It is observed that the average height and growth rate of the radish plants in pot A (the plants provided with music stimuli) are greater than that of the plants in pot B. The seeds in pot A were also able to germinate a day earlier.

Condition	Average daily height of the radish plant (mm)
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
With music	0	0	4	57	124	193	267	359	451	543	658	761	872	984
Without music	0	0	0	3	58	112	173	247	342	436	527	633	727	813

The chart below represents the results of our experiment.

Music and plant growth science project

Conclusion

The hypothesis holds true: playing classical music to plants makes them grow more quickly.

Music is able to speed up seed germination and enhance plant growth. Although there may not be an available scientific explanation as to why music is able to enhance plant growth, the results are there for us to take advantage of. Music can be used in plant nurseries to speed-up seed germination and help us grow healthier plants.

Also consider

Try to repeat the science fair project using different types of music like jazz, pop, rock or country.

The science project can also be modified by talking to the plants everyday.

References

Does music affect plant growth? - http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4596442_does-music-affect-plant-growth.html

How music can help plant growth? - http://www.helium.com/items/989723-how-music-can-help-plant-growth?page=2

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