Applications of Sonic and Vibrational Technologies in Enhancing Pollination Efficiency and Fruit Yield of Horticultural Crops

Pollination is a critical biological process that directly influences fruit set, yield, and quality in horticultural crops. However, declining pollinator populations, adverse climatic conditions, and intensive agricultural practices have increasingly threatened effective pollination, particularly in controlled and protected cultivation systems. In recent years, sonic and vibrational technologies have emerged as innovative, non-invasive tools to enhance pollination efficiency and fruit productivity. These technologies exploit the natural phenomenon of buzz pollination, where specific sound frequencies or mechanical vibrations stimulate pollen release from anthers, improving pollen deposition on stigmas. This review comprehensively examines the principles, mechanisms, and applications of sonic and vibrational technologies in horticultural crop pollination. Emphasis is placed on their role in improving fruit set and yield in crops such as tomato, pepper, strawberry, blueberry, and other buzz-pollinated species. The article further discusses technological advancements, integration with protected cultivation and precision horticulture, potential benefits over conventional pollination methods, and existing challenges, future research directions and commercialization prospects of sonic and vibrational pollination technologies are highlighted, underscoring their potential contribution to sustainable and high-efficiency horticultural production systems.