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Scientists Can Make Plants Scream
Ananova ^ | 11-23-2001

Posted on 11/23/2001 8:31:27 PM PST by blam

Scientist can make plants scream

A German physics researcher is making plants scream.

University of Bonn scientist Ralph Gaebler uses a special sensor to register plant gas emissions.

When under stress, plants give off increased amounts of ethylene gas. The sensor translates the gas concentration into noise.

The German newspaper Express reports Mr Gaebler demonstrated the method by cutting a leaf off an orchid, which caused a piercing scream.

He said: "The orchid cannot run away, so this is her way of complaining about such mean treatment."

He caused the same effects by infecting a cucumber with mildew.

Mr Gaebler says his machine frequently registers 'screams' coming from fruit baskets.

"Apples naturally give off lots of ethylene gas. If there are any bananas in the basket, they will quickly turn brown from it," he added.

Story filed: 09:53 Friday 23rd November 2001


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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To: openotherend
Make Plants Scream


61 posted on 11/24/2001 10:24:03 PM PST by Nick Danger
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To: dighton
"An intensive series of studies carried out by Dorothy Retallack of Denver, Colorado, demonstrated the effects of different kinds of music on a variety of household plants. The experiments were controlled under strict scientific conditions, and the plants were kept within large closed cabinets on wheels in which light, temperature and air were automatically regulated.

Three hours a day of acid rock, played through a loudspeaker at the side of the cabinet, was found to stunt and damage squash plants, philodendrons and corn in under four weeks. Mrs Retallack played the music of the two different Denver radio stations to two groups of petunias. The radio stations were KIMN (a rock station) and KLIR (a semiclassical station). The Denver Post reported:
`The petunias listening to KIMN refused to bloom. Those on KLIR developed six beautiful blooms. By the end of the second week, the KIMN petunias were LEANING AWAY from the radio and showing very erratic growth. The petunia blooms hearing KLIR were all leaning TOWARD THE SOUND. Within a month all plants exposed to rock music DIED.'

In another experiment, conducted over three weeks, Dorothy Retallack played the music of Led Zeppelin and Vanilla Fudge to one group of beans, squash (marrow), corn, morning glory and coleus; she also played contemporary avant-garde atonal music to a second group; and, as a control, played nothing to a third group. Within ten days, the plants exposed to Led Zeppelin and Vanilla Fudge were all LEANING AWAY FROM THE SPEAKER. After three weeks they were stunted and DYING. The beans exposed to the 'new music' leaned 15 degrees from the speaker and were found to have middle-sized roots. The plants left in silence had the longest roots and grew the highest. Further, it was discovered that plants to which placid, devotional music was played not only grew two inches taller than plants left in silence, but also leaned TOWARDS THE SPEAKER. (Tame, David The Secret Power of Music, p. 142 - 144)

All the plants that were next to the rock music - LEANED AWAY FROM THE SPEAKERS - trying to get away from the music! And to show that it was not just the noise itself - the plants next to the classical music - LEANED TOWARD THE SPEAKERS - actually trying to get closer to the music.

In the end - ALL the plants next to the rock music - DIED!"

62 posted on 11/25/2001 5:11:57 AM PST by Orual
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To: antivenom
"Well now I have to admit...I use to sneak up behind eggplants and scream at them when they weren't looking just to hear them scream and jump....damn...hate when the truth gets out."

That reminds me of something that actually happened. My mom planted eggplants and peppers side by side. The eggplants came out hot. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it either. I can't figure out any way that could happen. (strange)

63 posted on 11/25/2001 7:39:38 AM PST by blam
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To: blam
Eggplants are the most intelligent of all plants...SHEESH Blam I thought of all people...YOU would know THAT! LOL!!! Damn that's why I didn't pick on inferior vegetables...no fun picking on low IQ veggies. To have real fun it HAS to be something challenging, and that can only be the all powerful and omnipotent EGGPLANT!
64 posted on 11/25/2001 8:33:49 AM PST by antivenom
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To: antivenom
Those sexy peppers must have been hot tamales. The Plant Kingdom has no shame. Take it from a dog. I know.
65 posted on 11/26/2001 10:05:39 PM PST by PoorMuttly
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To: blam
Scientists can make anything scream.
66 posted on 11/26/2001 10:08:01 PM PST by Don Myers
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