Plant ultrasonic acoustic emissions (UAEs) are low-intensity sound signals that arise primarily from physiological processes associated with transpiration-driven water transport. By monitoring these emissions, researchers and farmers can detect physiological changes related to water/drought stress, heat stress, or disease, allowing timely interventions and optimized resource management. However, substantial variability in UAEs across plant species and environmental conditions, together with limited detection sensitivity and a lack of standardized measurement protocols, present significant challenges for robust interpretation and large scale deployment. Recent advancements in portable sensor technologies and network integration, supported by collaborations between crop physiologists, engineers, and data scientists, aim to address some of these challenges. Standardization efforts and more robust methodologies for data collection and analysis are emerging, alongside innovative applications in precision agriculture. These developments promise to boost crop yields, enhance sustainability, and increase resilience to environmental stressors. In this perspective article, we review the current state of plant acoustics research,critically assess available sensing and analytical approaches, and discuss both their opportunities and limitations. We further argue that targeted research into the biological interpretation of UAEs’ including their potential roles in plant-to-plant and plant–animal interactions, in natural ecosystems as well as in controlled environments like greenhouses and vertical farms, is crucial. Within a smart farming toolkit, plant acoustics may become a complementary tool for applications in agriculture, forestry, plant breeding, and conservation, provided that integration across sensing, data analytics, and agronomic decision-making is achieved. ... Read more

Vase life is a key determinant of cut flower quality and market value. Conventional vase life assessment relies on visual inspection and physiological monitoring over several days to weeks, making it labor- and time-intensive. This study introduces a rapid and noninvasive approach using plant acoustics to assess postharvest vase-life-related variation in cut chrysanthemum flowers. Six chrysanthemum cultivars were grown under two supplemental lighting treatments (Hybrid and LED) and two planting densities (54 and 74 plants m−2). Acoustic monitoring was compared with optical microscopy for the assessment of xylem vessel diameter, while conventional vase-life testing was performed in parallel. Optical microscopy validated the acoustic measurements, with both methods consistently identifying vessel radii around 10 μm. The acoustic radius (𝑟a
), derived from pulse settling time measurements, showed cultivar- and planting-density-specific variation. Linear mixed-effects modelling demonstrated that the relationship between acoustic radius and vase life differed significantly among cultivars, indicating that a universal relationship across cultivars is not supported. These findings show that acoustic monitoring provides a meaningful noninvasive proxy for vase-life-associated stem traits and may serve as a useful cultivar-calibrated tool for evaluating postharvest longevity in cut chrysanthemums. ... Read more