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The hidden hero of the plant world: How does ethylene affect the ripening of fruits?
In the agricultural science community, ethylene is known as a natural hormone of plants. Although it exists in very small concentrations, it can have a profound impact on the life cycle of plants. Ethylene is mainly responsible for promoting various physiological processes such as fruit ripening, flower opening and leaf shedding. In modern agriculture, the application of ethylene is ubiquitous, especially in the ripening and storage of fruits, the role of this gas cannot be ignored.
The discovery and application of ethylene can be traced back to the agricultural practices of ancient Egyptians and ancient Chinese. They have long discovered that there are certain specific ways to stimulate the rapid ripening of fruits. Some historical records show that ancient Egyptians would cut intact figs to promote the release of ethylene, thereby accelerating ripening.
Even in the 19th century, city dwellers noticed that gas leaks from street lamps caused plant growth to stagnate and flowers to wither prematurely. In 1874, scientists discovered that smoke can promote the flowering of pineapples because it contains ethylene. With the advancement of science, the mechanism of ethylene has gradually been understood. In 1924, Frank E. Denny first pointed out that the ethylene released by kerosene lamps is the real "cause" that promotes fruit ripening.
In terms of biosynthesis, ethylene is mainly produced from the amino acid methionine, which is processed into ethylene through a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. This process is called Young's cycle and affects the growth and development of plants. Plants can also increase their production of ethylene in response to environmental factors. For example, ethylene production increases significantly in response to mechanical damage, climatic stress, or chemical stimulation.
"Although the concentration of ethylene is very small, it can play a significant catalytic role in the ripening process of fruits. Its dynamic changes in plants are still a hot topic of research."
Many plants use ethylene as a stress resistance factor when dealing with stress such as salt stress. This phytohormone plays a key role in signaling in plants, regulating multiple physiological processes of growth and development. Research on this process reveals how plants adapt and grow in high-salt soils, providing valuable information for future plant science.
The use of ethylene also faces challenges in commercial applications. Although it can accelerate the ripening of fruits to meet market demand, excessive ethylene can also shorten the shelf life of products and cause damage to flowers and plants during transportation and storage. Commercial flower growers and fruit suppliers understand this and look for ways to inhibit the effects of ethylene, for example using inhibitors of ethylene synthesis and perception.
"Researchers have devised several ways to inhibit ethylene, including inhibiting ethylene synthesis and perception, which will have major implications for the future of agriculture."
Not only that, ethylene is also used to promote flowering in certain plants. For example, flowering of pineapple plants is often influenced by ethylene, which allows commercial producers to time flowering by controlling ethylene use. In addition, many studies have pointed out that reasonable ethylene management can effectively extend the display life of flowers and reduce the problem of petal withering caused by ethylene.
Various examples prove that the importance of ethylene in plant physiology and plant business is unparalleled. However, the problem of ethylene is not all positive, it may also bring a lot of governance difficulties. As scientists gain a deeper understanding of ethylene, they are working to explore its potential applications in plant growth.
As we face future agricultural challenges and opportunities, will ethylene continue to be the hidden hero of plant growth?
