Effects of Sound Stimulation on Physiological and Biochemical Responses of ‘Salvia splendens’

Plants are influenced inevitably by environmental stresses due to their immobility. Sound waves are one of these environmental factors affecting plants. This study was designed to understand the relationship between sound waves and plant responses that is still low knowledge. For this purpose, Salvia splendens, one of the common plants in urban green spaces, were influenced by sound waves with a frequency of 1000 Hz and at intensities of 90, 100 and 110 dB and control for an hour each day, during one month. Seedling were obtained from seeds of Salvia, cultivated in MS medium, in-vitro condition and were subculture every 20 days. Treatments started in 15 days after planting the seed. The results of growth and antioxidant enzyme activities showed that sound waves cause increment of plant growth as the sound waves intensity increases in frequency of 1000 Hz. Maximum root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight were observed at 110 dB. Sound waves cause increment of the protein content and catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes activity. Malondialdehyde content increased with the increment of intensity. Overall, Salvia splendens responded to sound wave stress by improving growth, physiological and biochemical parameters.