Ethylene

Ethylene

1. Gaseous compound C2H4

2. Involved in most development stages

   • stress hormone

3. plants produce ethylene

4. respond to externally produced ethylene

5. climacteric fruits increase ethylene production during ripening

   • Wills et al

6. addition of ethylene

   • climateric
     • respiration peak occurs sooner
   • non climacteric
     • creates a peak, and then size increases accordingly
   • autocatalytic process

7. can remove ethylene using scrubbers

8. 1- MCP stops ethylene binding to receptors

   • inhibits response but not production
     • delays ripening and scenscence
       • Guillen et al 2007 Koukounaras et al 2009

9. AVG inhibits internal production of ethylene

   • can still respond to external ethylene