Plants emit audible sounds when injured

Researchers led by Itzhak Khait at Tel Aviv University have found that some plants produce audible, high-frequency sounds when they are stressed or damaged. The team tested tomato and tobacco plants and recorded ultrasonic clicks that arise during drought stress or after cutting. Sensitive microphones and acoustic analysis allowed detection of these sounds from as far as five meters, suggesting plants may broadcast information about their physical condition.

Scientists say these sound emissions could carry useful signals, such as indicating water need or injury, and might be noticed by insects, animals, or even other plants. The study’s authors and evolutionary biologist Lilach Hadany note that, if reliable, such sounds could influence natural selection by favoring species that respond to them. Researchers emphasize that more work is needed to confirm how frequent and functionally important these sounds are across plant species.