Effect of Musical Note (‘Shuddha Swar’) on the Germination and Growth of Triticum aestivum

Effect of Musical Note (Shuddha Swar) on the Germination and Growth of Triticum aestivum

Gajghate Sankalpa

Department of Botany, Shri Shivaji College of Arts,

Commerce and Science, Akola- 444001(MS)India

Oke Anand

Department of Botany, Shri Shivaji College of Arts,

Commerce and Science, Akola- 444001(MS)India

Khedkar Dinesh

Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati-444603 (MS)India

Abstract- Indian classical music is known for very fine thoughts on Swar (Musical Note). The present study is focused on the effect of Shuddha Swar on the growth of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat). The percentage of germination was found to be highest (96%) in samples treated with SaGa,Ma and Dha and lowest in the sample treated with Pa(64%).

The longest root length (23.6 cm) was observed in sample treated with Pa whereas shortest (3 cm) was recorded in Ga treated sample. Shoot length was found to be highest in the sample encountered with Pa (21.4 cm) and shortest shoot length was noted in Dha (0.6 cm) reacted samples. Post germination percentage of mortality found in sample treated with Pa (0%) and highest is recorded in control (54.54%). The farmer could prevent at least (21.21%) post germination death of plants.

Key words- Indian Classical Music, Shuddha Swar, Plant growth, Germination, Wheat plant

I. INTRODUCTION

India is well known for its rich heritage. The Indian classical music is one of the ancient heritages which are globally accepted which considers three basic components of the music as Swar, Taal and Lay. The twelve Swar (Musical Note) are also classified in to three type i-e Shuddha Swar(7)-(Natural notes- (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma,

Pa, Dha, Ni); Komal Swar(4)-(Re, Ga, Ma,

Dha) and Tivra Swar(1)-(Ma). The micro change in the frequency range of note is known as Shruti (Tones) which are twenty two. The Sa and Pa are Sthayi swar and have no Shruti. The Shuddha Swar is encircled with Shruti having different frequency [1].

The Tanpura/ Tambora is the principal instrument used in Indian classical music regardless of styles, which is constantly taken as reference throughout.

The Classical music has flourishing effect on plants while rock music has withering effect [2]. Plants responded positively to every type of music except acid rock and rock music [3]. Plants treated with Vedic chants or Indian classical music observed to have higher growth with

respect to control and Western classical or Rock music

treated plants [4].

Combination of overtones of each instrument (although of the same category) is different and therefore their sounds are different for the same note. The plants showed positive sonotropic movement towards the source of music [5].

The music influences the plant growth by increasing the concentration of Sugar, Phenols and Starch [6]. Each musical note being the frequency is constant. The oscillations per second for seven shuddha swar are – Shadja (Sa)-240, Rishabh (Re)-270, Gandhar (Ga)-300, Madhyam (Ma)-320, Pancham (Pa)-360, Dhaivat (Dha)-400 and Nishad (Ni)-450 [7].

The music will enhance the plant growth but preferred frequencies from the music (if any) having most pronounced effect are unknown [8, 9, 10].

Background- Most of living beings responds to sound waves. The mood swings are observed in animals after playing certain type of music with change in their behaviour. Since long, plants are supposed to respond music and also to have mood swings, which could not be observed immediately like in animals. In this scenario, it is needed to check, Does plants show effect of music on germination and growth?

Material and Methods-

The healthy seeds were selected, washed and taken to the acoustic chamber. The same water supply and sunlight was given to each sample. The seeds were sown and taken to sound-proof chamber. All the samples were treated with shuddha swar of Kali-1(C#) scale generated on electronic Taanpura/Tambora (Make- Swarangini Digital Electronic Tanpura) for fifteen minutes each for eight days. The control was also maintained at the same conditions without supply of fertilizers [3].

Result and Discussion- The germination percentage (Table

-1) found to be highest in sample treated with Sa (96%), Ga (96%), Ma (96%) and Dha (96%). The 8% rise in the seed germination was recorded with respect to control.

The Indian classical ragas act as plant growth stimulant as it enhances seed germination, early seed germination and healthy seedling growth [1]. The increased germination is recorded in the samples treated with low frequency notes, which is co-relating with the findings of [11].

The control had 88% germination while sample treated with Ni had 84%, which indicated the decrease in the germination when treated with high frequency. The high frequency/decibel sound treatment leaded to the damage of cells [12]. Musical sound had a highly statistically significant effect on the number of seeds sprouted compared to the untreated control [13].

The average of the total length of treated samples is

29.91cm. The overall higher growth was observed in the samples treated with Re(30.78cm),Ga (30.94cm) and Ma(30.7cm) while lowest was found in the Dha (28.20cm) treated sample. The Control was observed to have (27.57cm).The germination percentage found to be highest in sample treated with Sa (96%), Ga (96%), Ma (96%) and Dha (96%). The 8% rise in the seed germination was

recorded with respect to control. The Indian classical ragas act as plant growth stimulant as it enhances seed germination, early seed germination and healthy seedling growth [1]. The increased germination is recorded in the samples treated with low frequency notes, which is co- relating with the findings of [11].

The control had 88% germination while sample treated with Ni had 84%, which indicated the decrease in the germination when treated with high frequency. The high frequency/decibel sound treatment leaded to the damage of cells [12]. Musical sound had a highly statistically significant effect on the number of seeds sprouted compared to the untreated control [13].

The average of the total length of treated samples is

29.91cm. The overall higher growth was observed in the samples treated with Re(30.78cm),Ga (30.94cm) and Ma(30.7cm) while lowest was found in the Dha (28.20cm) treated sample. The Control was observed to have (27.57cm) (Table -1).

Table 1- Germination and Root-Shoot length

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Control

% Germination Longest Shoot (cm) Shortest Shoot (cm) Longest Root (cm) Shortest Root (cm)

Average total Length (cm)

Table-1 Graphical – Germination and Root-Shoot length

(Table-2) Percent number of individuals grown above average shoot length was recorded highest in Ga followed by Ma, Sa, Re, Pa and Ni. Percent number of individuals grown below average shoot length are also less than control. It is concluded that shoots show positive

response to music. Similarly percent number of individuals having root length above average are Ga, Dha Pa, and Re. Percent number of individuals grown below average root length are higher than control. The roots are observed to be negatively sensitive to sound waves.

Table 2- % Number of individuals grown above / below average root-shoot length

80

70

60

% number of individuals grown

50 above average shoot length

% number of individuals grown

40 below average shoot length

30 % number of individuals grown

above average root length

20 % number of individuals grown

10 below average root length

0

Table -2 Graphical- % Number of individuals grown above / below average root-shoot length

(Table-3) Minimum 50% (Dha) to maximum 72.2% (Ga) percent number of individuals grown above average total length and maximum Pa(28%) percent growth was recorded above average total length. Whereas decrease in the growth was also observed with respect to control in (4.65%) Ni and (0.55%)Ma. It is noted that any Shuddha Swar treated sample grown 10% to 32% more in number above the control.

Minimum 27%(Ga) to maximum 50%(Dha) percent number of individuals grown below average total length with respect to control and maximum (Pa)(47.5%) to minimum

(Ni)(22.95%) percent growth of individuals observed below average total length with respect to control.

The Re(29%), Ga(31.5%) Pa(33.7%) percent number of shoots grown above the average shoot length. The Sa(17.2%), Ga(17.6%),Pa(26.45%),Dha(21.33%)

percent number of roots grown above the average root length.

The Sa(29.36%), Re(43.1%) percent number of shoots grown below average shoot length. The Re(20.68%) Ga(23.3%) Pa(28%) are having percent total growth above average. Sound waves significantly increased the

yield of wheat, spinach, sweet pepper, lettuce, cucumber, tomato cotton and rice similarly the average yield, Starch, protein and fat content of wheat was observed to be increased when exposed to plant acoustic frequency technology (PAFT) generator [14]. Low-frequency sound waves were used to stimulate more than 50 kinds of crops,

and achieved remarkable effects [11]. Sound waves may also strengthen plant immune systems. Late blight, aphids, sheath blight of rice, Spider mite, viral disease of tomatoes (grown in the greenhouse) and gray mould observed to be decreased by sound wave treatment [14].

Table-3-% Number and % root/shoot growth above and below average

80 % Number of individuals grown

above average total length

70 % Number of individuals grown

below average total length

60 % Growth above average total

length

50 % Growth below average total

40 length

% Number of roots grown above

30 average root length

% Number of roots grown below

20 average root length

% Number of shoots grown above

10 average shoot length

Note

Sa

Re

Ga

Ma/p>

Pa

Dha

Ni

Control

0

T-3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Table- 3 Graphical- % Number and % root/shoot growth above and below average

(Table-4) Re (52%) and Ga (52%) Ma (44%) were observed to be grown above average total length. Re (52%) Sa(40%), Dha(28%)found to have higher growth of shoots above average. The highest root length above the average was recorded in Dha (44%). The Ga(20%),Ma(24%),Pa(24%) and Ni(24%) found

growing below average total length. The Ga(20%), Ma(20%), Pa(20%) and Ni(12%) found growing below average shoot length. The

Ni(52%),Re(48%),Ma(40%),Ga(32%), Pa(32%),

Sa(28%) and Dha(20%) found growing below average root length. The synchronized sound waves in the form of Indian classical ragas act as potent plant growth stimulant and protectant[1]. The change in amplitude causes change in pressure that makes the air molecules to move forth and back and create brushing action on the leaf and removes the film of moisture and helps in transpiration and results in overall development [10].

Table 4- % Number above / below root-shoot length

Table- 4 Graphical – % Number above / below root-shoot length

(Table -5) In Re treated samples 90.9% individuals found alive till the end of experiment, whereas only 45.45% individuals found alive till the end of experiment in control.

The Pa found to have 100% individuals alive till end but is having 24% less germination with respect to control, which is not feasible to agriculturist.

The control was recorded to have 45.45% post germination death. It is noted that- any Shuddha Swar treatment is better option for the higher survival of plants after germination. Re suited the most with 90.9 % post germination survival in Triticum aestivum L. Music, sound and healing energy have a significant impact on germination of grains [15].

It is noted that, lowest growth Dha(66.66%) recoded in Shuddha Swar treated sample is also higher than control, which proves that, any Shuddha Swar (pure Note)

treatment is beneficial for the plant growth, whereas few

Shuddha Swar are more beneficial for the same.

Table 5- Post germination % mortality

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

% number of individuals alive till the end of experiment

%number of individuals died

after germination

Table- 5 Graphical – Post germination % mortality

The average root length in treated samples is 16.75cm. The longest root length found in sample treated with Pa (23.6 cm) whereas shortest was in Ga (3cm). The control longest root was (18.7cm) and shortest (8.3cm.) (Table-1).

The average shoot length in treated samples was recorded

15.46cm. Highest shoot length was recorded in Pa (21.4cm) and shortest shoot length was observed in Dha (0.6cm). In control highest shoot was (20.2cm) and lowest shoot was (3.4cm) (Table-1).

Average higher root development was recorded in Dha and the average higher shoot development was also recorded in Sa. The roots of Zea mays were reported to bend toward sound with a frequency of 100-300 Hz among the tested frequencies of 0-900 Hz in the hydroponic system [16].

Highest post germination death (54.54%) is recorded in control. No post germination death of plants is observed in Pa treated samples but same is having lowest germination rate (64%). Post germination death (9.09%) was recorded in Re and is having (88%) germination(Table -1), which is equal to germination in control (88%) (Table-1). It reflects that, though the percentage of germination is same in Control and Re (Table -1) but the control seeds are having exactly six times more post germination death with respect to Re treated samples (Table -5).

It is observed that at least (21.21%) post germination death could be prevented with respect to control and ultimately yield could be increased by treating the sample with any Shuddha Swar.

Re Ga and Pa are observed to be the best suited Shuddha Swar for Triticum aestivum germination and post germination growth (Table-5). Plant growth in music treated plants was better than control plants especially showing increased level of various metabolites [6]. QGWA-03 plant audio apparatus treated (frequency range: 100-2000Hz), tomatos yield increased by 13.2%, and its disease of grey mould decreased by 9.0% [11]. The effect of music on plants varies with species [17]. The music therapy grown medicinal plants can give very good health benefits [18]. Music such as rock and acid rock has negative effect on plants while classical, jazz and Indian classics are supportive for plant growth [19]. Musical sound regulate the synthesis of phytohormones Indole3-acetic acid and Gibberellic acid [20,24]. There is phenomenon of spontaneous sound in plants. When the frequency between external vibration and plants spontaneous sound are consistent, the resonance will occur, thus promoting plants growth [21]. Increased photosynthetic ability has been observed in strawberry and rice in responseto sound treatment [22, 23]. Sound waves can decrease the requirements of chemical fertilizer and pesticide by 50% [25].

CONCLUSION

The treatment of Shuddha Swar is found to be effective to have increased germination. The farmer can prevent the post germination death by treating the crop with Shuddha Swar which in turn will enhance the crop production.

Future scope- It is observed that wheat plants are having effect of music. The same treatment could be given to various plants species to see the effect.

The need to provide costly fertilizers could be decreased and ultimately financial expenses could be reduced.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Authors sincerely express their gratitude to Pt. Kishorji Nawasalkar for his constant guidance in music and also to the Department of Botany, Shri Shivaji College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Akola for providing all necessary facilities and support.

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