An Italian immigrant has become the centre of attention in his local Brisbane neighborhood for his unusual morning routine — singing to his fruit trees.
Carseldine local and classically trained singer Raffaele Pierno credits his rousing opera renditions for the large size of his home-grown lemons.
Neighbours are less enthusiastic about his growing methods after attempting to set up a petition to stop the morning melodies.
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However, the tradition of encouraging plant growth with music could be backed by science.
Raffaele Pierno says his grandfather ‘taught me how to love them, nurture them and sing for them’. Credit: 7NEWS
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There are numerous research papers into the effects of music on plants.
Paul Gauthier from the Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation told 7NEWS that Pierno’s lemons are responding to the release of CO2.
“He is releasing a lot of CO2 from his mouth, which the plants love,” he said.
The size of Pierno’s fruits could actually be scientifically linked to his singing. Credit: Raffaele Pierno
Other studies show certain sound frequencies can assist the germination and growth of plants.
Pierno says singing to his plants was a family tradition he learned from his grandfather.
“He taught me how to love them, nurture them and sing for them,” he said.
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