Diego Comparini
Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy
Abstract Title: Acoustic Vibrations Modulate Morphology, Physiology, and Stress Responses in Olea europaea cv. “Leccino”
Biography: I’m a Plant scientist with broad experience in plant physiology, biotechnology, and innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture. After a BSc and MSc at the University of Florence, I completed a PhD in Agro-biotechnology focusing on plant responses to gravity under micro- and hypergravity conditions in space-related research. As postdoctoral researcher in Japan (University of Kitakyushu), I investigated plant responses to light spectra and acoustic stimuli, coordinating the Linv@Kitakyushu Research Center. Back in Italy, my research has focused on plant-environment interactions, including VOC analysis, air-purifying abilities of plants, electrophysiology, and stress physiology. I was Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow with the project SUNDROPS on self-driving hydroponics, and I am currently PI of the EU-funded project EVOLUTE, studying mechanical vibrations and light spectra as sustainable tools for crop protection and quality. I have authored over 20 international publications and contributed to several EU and ESA projects on plant signaling, stress adaptation, and bio-inspired technologies.
Research Interest: Acoustic vibrations have been shown to trigger various morphological, physiological, and genetic responses in plants, but the application of sound-based technology in agriculture is still very limited. On the other hand, the number of studies on the effects of acoustic treatments in plants has recently increased, confirming that plants are sensitive to both natural and artificial acoustic stimuli, such as leaf vibrations induced by insect feeding or underground water movement. In this context, we evaluated the effects of long-term exposure to low- frequency acoustic vibrations on Olea europaea L. cv. “Leccino.” After several months of treatment, plants displayed significant changes in morphology, physiology, and stress-related traits. In treated plants, photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance were reduced compared to controls. Structural microscopic analyses revealed notable modifications i Interestingly, plants prior subjected to vibration demonstrated higher water-use efficiency under repeated drought periods, showing greater tolerance than untreated plants. Although the molecular basis of plant acoustic perception remains to be clarified, our findings confirm that mechanical stimulation can influence structural and physiological processes in olive trees. These results indicate that acoustic vibrations have the potential to be employed to modulate plant responses to stress, potentially enhancing resilience to environmental constraints and challenges. The application of such non- chemical treatments in agriculture could promote more sustainable practices, reducing reliance on external inputs and improving crop resilience in a changing climate.