Question

Why do plants produce ethylene? Why has ethylene become important commercially to farmers?

Answer 1

Fruits such as cherries and blueberries do not produce much ethylene and it doesn't influence their ripening. Ethylene is thought of like the aging hormone in plants. In addition to causing fruit to ripen, it can cause plants to die. It can be produced when plants are injured, either mechanically or by disease. Ethylene, as well as other plant growth regulators (PGRs), are important chemicals in agricultural production. The plant hormone, C${}_2$H${}_4$ strongly influences nearly every development stage in plant growth, from germination to fruit ripening and senescence.