I was asked to do a question about Ethylene gas and its effect on plants.
One of my classmates said that plants cannot produce fruit and seeds without the gas...
I know ethylene helps ripen and quicken the speed of the fruit/seeds, but can't the plant do it naturally without the gas? Abeit slower, but it still can do it without the gas, right? That's how natural crops grow...
You are correct in saying that ethylene helps in the ripening process of fruits and seeds. Ethylene is a plant hormone that is naturally produced by various tissues in a plant, including ripening fruits, flowers, and aging leaves. It acts as a signal to kickstart the ripening process, leading to changes in color, texture, and flavor.
While it is true that fruits and seeds can ripen and develop naturally without additional ethylene gas, ethylene does play a significant role in the process. Ethylene helps speed up the ripening process, enabling fruits to develop quicker than they would naturally. This is important for commercial purposes, where the timing of harvest and ripening is essential for ensuring the availability of fresh produce.
In natural settings, where crops grow without human intervention, ethylene production is regulated by the plant itself. As fruits and seeds mature, the plant naturally produces ethylene to trigger the ripening process. However, adding ethylene gas can accelerate this process, allowing fruits and seeds to ripen faster than they would on their own.
So, while plants can naturally ripen fruits and seeds without the addition of ethylene gas, using ethylene gas can be beneficial when it comes to commercial farming and ensuring a consistent supply of ripe produce.