Soundwaves Accelerate Soil Fungi Growth, New Study Reveals

The discovery could pave the way for 'eco-acoustics', a potential new field in ecosystem restoration and agriculture.

Researchers at Flinders University have discovered that playing soundscapes to soil fungi can stimulate their growth, potentially aiding in the restoration of degraded ecosystems.
The study found that one common plant growth-promoting fungi increased its initial number of spore cells biomass by almost five times when exposed to soundwaves in a controlled environment.
The experiment involved burying regular teabags in soundproof boxes and exposing them to high-pitched monotone soundwaves for up to eight hours a day for 14 days.
The study suggests that 'eco-acoustics' could become a new field in supporting native ecosystem restoration, fresh food production, and composting industries.
Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying sound's effect on fungal growth and to determine whether certain sound parameters can target particular fungal species.