Lidl in Sweden sells fruits and vegetables cultivated by classical music
16th September 2024
To explore the impact of music on fruits and vegetables, Lidl Sweden has installed sound systems covering more than 260,000 square feet of farms around the country. Fruits and vegetables now grow to the tunes of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Several scientific studies show that music favours plant growth, the retailer said. To further improve the quality of its fruit and vegetable range, Lidl Sweden commissioned the research institute RISE to analyse what the research says about the effect of music on plants.
Tora Råberg, researcher at RISE, said: “Although plants do not have ears, they can still sense vibrations from sound waves.
”Studies show that music favours the growth of seedlings and, for example, can affect both the roots’ length and crops’ size. We can also state that different genres of music affect plants differently.”
To explore this, Lidl Sweden installed sound systems covering more than 260,000 square feet of greenhouses and farms around Sweden. There, fruits and vegetables were allowed to grow to the music of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Robert Stekovic, purchasing and marketing director at Lidl Sweden, added: “Fruits and vegetables are some of our most valued products at Lidl”.
“Therefore, we are constantly working to improve quality. Through the collaboration with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, our Swedish farmers and RISE, we hope to refine the already high quality even further.
“It’s also incredibly fun to offer philharmonic fruits and vegetables. For our customers, only the best will do.”
Taller plants
The report that RISE has made for Lidl shows that music has the power to influence the plant kingdom. In a study where alfalfa seeds were exposed to music, 100 percent of all seeds developed into sprouts when they were played classical music, waltz or nature sounds.
The same study showed that several genres of music have a positive effect on lettuce, both when it came to the length of the roots and the stem.
According to another study, classical music increased the seed yield of peas by as much as 33 percent, and the pea plants grew 38 percent taller than plants not exposed to music.
Since early spring, five different farmers have played classical music to their tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, fresh herbs and apples.
These products are now available for sale in all Lidl stores around Sweden.
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