Ethylene is a potent plant growth regulator that affects
diverse developmental processes, including fruit ripening,
senescence, and stress responses (McKeon and Yang,
1987; Reid, 1987). Its role in promoting climacteric fruit
ripening is particularly well established. Chemical inhibitors
of ethylene synthesis or action completely block ripening
in fruits and senescence in flowers of many plant species.
At a molecular level, ethylene is known to induce expression
of a number of genes involved in ripening (Lincoln and
Fischer, 1988) and pathogen response (Ecker and Davis,
1987).