June 01, 2026
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA have discovered that rice seeds can sense the sound of raindrops, marking a significant development in the study of plants. According to the researchers, sound waves are produced when raindrops touch the ground. This creates vibrations that cause tiny structures known as statoliths, located inside the cells of seeds, to move. This movement, caused by the vibrations, triggers plant growth. The researchers also found that germination occurred faster in seeds exposed to the sounds of raindrops than in those that were not, demonstrating how sound vibrations affect plant biology.
DID YOU KNOW?
A seed comprises a tiny plant, called an embryo, within it. The seed also contains stored food that contributes to the plant’s growth.
