The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of music on lettuce and alfalfa seed germination and seedling growth. In total, 9 music treatments were used, namely: 1) Control (no music); 2) Gregorian Chant; 3) Baroque; 4) Classical; 5) Jazz; 6) Rock; 7) Nature sound; 8) New-age; 9) Waltz. In addition, each music was played for either 12 h or 24 h daily. The germination percentage was recorded on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th day. Measurements for the radicle length and hypocotyl length were made on the 7th day.
Results showed no significant differences between the different types of music on the germination percentage of lettuce seeds on day 3, 5, and 7, irrespective of the playback duration. Significant differences (P=0.027) were observed, however, between alfalfa seeds exposed to different 12 h music treatments, with the lowest germination percentage being rock music (91.7%). The highest percentage (100%) of seeds germinated in treatments with music being played was those in the classical, nature sound, and waltz treatments.
In lettuces, compared to control (no music), continuous playback (24 h) of any type of music, with the exception of jazz music, resulted in an overall increase in radicle length. A similar trend was evident in alfalfa seedlings where in comparison to germinating with no music (control), except for jazz and nature sound (12 h), and new-age and waltz music (24 h), a general increase in alfalfa radicle lengths was observed in all music treatments. These findings indicate that there is a tendency for an increase in radicle growth of lettuce and alfalfa seedlings when music is present during germination.
In terms of hypocotyl growth, when lettuce seedlings were exposed to music, regardless of the music type or playback duration, there seemed to be a stimulatory effect on its growth. On the contrary, the overall hypocotyl growth of alfalfa seedlings tend to be suppressed. The exceptions being classical and waltz music, and jazz and waltz music in the 12 h and 24 h treatments, respectively.
誌謝　I
Abstract　III
摘要　V
Table of Contents　VII
List of Tables　IX
List of Figures　XI
Chapter 1 1
Introduction 1
1.1 Research Background 1
1.2 Aim of his Research Study 2
Chapter 2 4
Literature Review 4
2.1 Musical Sounds 4
2.2 History of Plants and Music 5
2.3 Review of Prior Research 7
2.4 Acoustic Responses of Plants 10
Chapter 3 14
Materials and Methods 14
3.1 Plant Material and Growth Conditions 14
3.2 Music Treatments and Playback Conditions 17
3.3 Statistical Analysis 19
Chapter 4 26
Results 26
4.1 Effect of Different Types of Music and Playback Duration on Germination Percentage 26
4.2 Effect of Different Types of Music on Radicle Growth 34
4.3 Effect of Playback Duration Within the Same Music Treatment on Radicle Growth 38
4.4 Effect of Different Types of Music on Hypocotyl Growth 41
4.5 Effect of Playback Duration Within the Same Music Treatment on Hypocotyl Growth 45
Chapter 5 48
Discussion 48
Chapter 6 56
Conclusion 56
Research Limitations 57
References 58
List of Tables
Table 3.1 The category, instrument, and decibel value of the music treatments used in this study 20
Table 3.2 The source of the tracks used in the music treatments of this study 21
Table 3.3 Tempo/Meter/Frequency range of the music treatments used in this study 23
Table 4.1 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on germination % of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) seeds after 3 days 31
Table 4.2 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on germination % of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) seeds after 5 days 32
Table 4.3 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on germination % of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Medicago sativa (alfalfa) seeds after 7 days 33
Table 4.4 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on radicle growth in lettuce seedlings after 7 days 36
Table 4.5 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on radicle growth in alfalfa seedlings after 7 days 37
Table 4.6 The effects of different playback durations in the same type of music on radicle growth in lettuce seedlings after 7 days 39
Table 4.7 The effects of different playback time durations in the same type of music on radicle growth in alfalfa seedlings after 7 days 40
Table 4.8 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on hypocotyl growth in lettuce seedlings after 7 days 43
Table 4.9 The effects of different types of music and playback duration on hypocotyl growth in alfalfa seedlings after 7 days 44
Table 4.10 The effects of different playback time durations in the same type of music on hypocotyl growth in lettuce seedlings after 7 days 46
Table 4.11 The effects of different playback duration in the same type of music on hypocotyl growth in alfalfa seedlings after 7 days 47
List of Figures
Fig. 3.1 Arrangement of seeds in Petr-dish during germination 16
Fig. 3.2 Layout of Petri-dishes in sound-absorbing box 16
Fig. 3.3 Frequency chart 22
Fig. 3.4 Experimental flowchart 24
Fig. 3.5 Structure of seedling 25
Fig. 4.1 Lettuce seed germination. (A) Control; (B) Gregorian Chant; (C) Baroque; (D) Classical; (E) Jazz; (F) Rock; (G) Nature Sound; (H) New-age; (I) Waltz 29
Fig. 4.2 Alfalfa seed germination. (A) Control; (B) Gregorian Chant; (C) Baroque; (D) Classical; (E) Jazz; (F) Rock; (G) Nature Sound; (H) New-age; (I) Waltz 30
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