HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays an important role in inducing the ripening process for many fruits, together with other hormones and signals. An unripe fruit generally has low levels of ethylene. As the fruit matures, ethylene is produced as a signal to induce fruit ripening.

Detailed explanation-2: -Abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene are the major regulators of ripening and senescence in both dry and fleshy fruits, as demonstrated by numerous ripening-defective mutants, effects of exogenous hormone application, and transcriptome analyses.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ethylene promotes ripening of fruits. Auxin is responsible for the growth of shoots and formation of the fruits.

Detailed explanation-4: -External application of ethylene gas generated from various sources such as ethylene gas cylinders, compressed ethylene gas, ethanol, ethephon, etc. can be used on fruits to trigger the ripening process in fruits. Any source of ethylene gas coming in direct contact with fruits is not permitted.

Detailed explanation-5: -Most fruits produce a gaseous compound called ethylene that starts the ripening process. In artificial ripening, this process is mimicked using chemicals. The most commonly used chemical is called ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid). It penetrates into the fruit and decomposes ethylene.