Mexican scientist Laura Xóchitl Cruz has developed a device that produces music generated by plant sounds, which she now uses to give concerts in Querétaro, a state in central Mexico.
The biosystems engineer from the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ) spent years researching how sound influences the growth and development of plants and pollinators. Along the way, she discovered that plants can also “make” music.
Cruz began her work by experimenting with lettuce, exposing it to the sounds these vegetables produce during their growth.
“After completing that experiment at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, I realized that the devices I used could help me listen to the music of plants,” Cruz said.
This discovery has led her to offer concerts and immersive experiences in several states across Mexico. In addition to promoting science, she aims to foster awareness and a connection between nature and people.
The device consists of electrodes that connect to the leaves of plants. “You place the electrodes on the plant, and then you can listen to the plant,” she explained.
“But when you touch the plant, the sound changes. The sound is different for each person. Experiencing this interaction with the plant in person significantly changes people’s perception of nature,” she said.
These sounds, she explained, are electrical impulses within each plant that, when processed, are linked to the sounds of instruments, ultimately creating music.
Cruz developed a processor that interprets these impulses and creates the necessary connections for them to acquire specific sounds.
“I developed the device because I realized it was very difficult to acquire a similar device from another country. That was about 10 years ago, and it was even more challenging to bring things to Mexico,” she said.
In addition to her work with plant music, Cruz is focused on developing techniques that complement agriculture with sound. Her goal is to replace expensive implements in the industry, such as pollinating drones, with sound-based mechanisms that promote crop growth and development while benefiting natural pollinators.
“It has a lot to do with the type of frequencies you use. They have to be specific frequencies depending on what you want to achieve, and it goes hand in hand with the decibels, the strength of the sound, and the duration of exposure,” she concluded.
