Ripening Chamber

Ethylene (IUPAC name: ethene) is a gaseous organic compound with the formula C2H4. It is the simplest alkene (older name: olefin from its oil-forming property). Because it contains a carbon-carbon double bond, ethylene is classified as an unsaturated hydrocarbon. Ethylene is widely used in industry and also has a role in biology as a hormon

• Ethylene shortens the shelf life of many fruits by hastening fruit ripening and floral senescence . Tomatoes , bananas and apples will ripen faster in the presence of ethylene. Bananas placed next to other fruits will produce enough ethylene to cause accelerated fruit ripening.
• Ethylene will shorten the shelf life of cut flowers and potted plants by accelerating floral senescence and floral abscission
• Flowers and plants which are subjected to stress during shipping, handling, or storage produce ethylene causing a significant reduction in floral display.
• Flowers affected by ethylene include carnation , geranium , petunia , rose , and many others.
• Ethylene can cause significant economic losses for florists, markets, suppliers, and growers.
• Commercial growers of bromeliads , including pineapple plants, use ethylene to induce flowering.
• Plants can be induced to flower either by treatment with the gas in a chamber, or by placing a banana peel next to the plant in an enclosed area.