Tag: Plant hormone

Bananas produce a natural, colorless, and odorless gas called ethylene. This simple hydrocarbon compound acts as a plant hormone and is a key driver behind the ripening process, not just for bananas, but for many other fruits and vegetables as well. The gas signals the fruit to undergo physiological changes that result in the familiar transformation from firm and green to soft and sweet.

According to agricultural studies, some varieties of apples can produce over 100 microliters of ethylene gas per kilogram per hour, making them among the most prolific producers. This highlights the critical question: what fruit has the most ethylene and how can this powerful, natural plant hormone be managed for optimal produce storage?