News Plants

Stressed plants make ultrasonic clicking noises

Detecting the sounds could offer a new way to monitor water stress in crops

three plants on a table with two microphones pointed at each

Using ultrasonic microphones (pictured), scientists detected clicking noises made by various types of plants.

Ohad Lewin-Epstein

By Meghan Rosen

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Listen carefully, and a plant may tell you it’s thirsty.

Dry tomato and tobacco plants emit distinct ultrasonic clicks, scientists report March 30 in Cell.