EFFECTS OF SOUND FREQUENCY ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF CHILI (Capsicum annuum) SEEDS

Abstract

Optimization of crop productivity and sustainability should be achieved through optimization of seed germination and viability of seedlings. This study examined how certain sound frequencies affect the early development of Chili (Capsicum annuum) seeds to find eco-friendly, non-chemical methods for maximizing seedling vigour. In here, the effects of frequencies of sound such as 125 Hz, 250 Hz, and 500 Hz were used to check the germination and early growth of Capsicum annuum seeds as pertaining to identify the best frequency which encourage the seedling growth. The experiment was conducted under a controlled environment where seeds were exposed to single sound frequencies for four hours daily with constant environmental conditions along with two controls (ambient and no sound). Important growth characteristics like germination percentage, shoot and root length, seedling weight, and chlorophyll content were monitored on a 15-day regimen. Results indicated that at 250 Hz sound frequency, it showed the maximum germination percentage, shoot and root elongation, and seedling vigour, while 125 Hz caused an increase in the content of chlorophyll to the highest level. 500 Hz treatment caused variable effects and the control sound group never lived up to expectation. In addition to this, the development of fungi along with seedlings was affected due to treatments with sounds. According to this research, 250 Hz sound frequency was confirmed as the best sound frequency for promoting germination of Capsicum annuum seeds and development of seedlings. Seeds treated with this frequency showed more germination, shoot and root elongation, and chlorophyll content than controls involving no sound and ambient sound. These results show that the processing of sound frequency can be an environmentally friendly, chemical-free method for increasing crop yield.