Effect of exogenous ethylene application on postharvest ripening and respiratory pattern of chilli
(Capsicum annum Var.MI-2) harvested at different stages of maturity was examined Chillies
harvested at mature green and colour break stages were used for the ripening study. Pods were
allowed to ripen at ambient conditions (32:t 2 'C and 37 % RH) with 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm
ethylene concentrations. Observations were made on colour development and weight of red ripe
pods during storage period Ethylene treatment had no significant effect on colour development of
chilli harvested at both stages of maturity. Fruits harvested at different stages of maturity ranging
from light green to full red were used for the respiration study at 12.2 'C and 83 % RH in a closed
system. Respiration rates of chilli from light green to full red stage ranged between 12.7-24.2
mgCO jkglh. The rate of respiration was law at light green stage and increased with maturity
reaching a peak (24.2 mgCO jkglh) at colour break stage. Respiration rate decreased with fruit
ripening and increased with development of full red colour. The internal ethylene concentration of
pods was ranged between 3.2-4.3 ppm. However, there was no ethylene peak observed with the
maturit