Ethylene

• Neljubow (1901) is credited with having identified the active growth-regulating component of the illuminating gas as ethylene.
• Ethylene is formed naturally in plants in amounts sufficient to bring about regulatorly effects and it might be considered as plant hormone.
• Ethylene may be active in alleviation of secondary dormancy also (Ross,1984).
• Synthetic chemical known as Etherel, Ethephon, Chloroethyl phosphonic acid (CEPA) has been reported to release ethylene when applied on plants.

Role of ethylene

• Breaking dormancy                                    
• Induce ripening of fruits
• Induce abscission of leaves            
• Inhibit elongation and lateral bud growth

Fruit ripenning in Banana, Pomegranate and Orange