A better understanding of C2H4 synthesis, perceptionand action should allow the development of postharvest strategies to enhance the beneficial effects and mitigate the detrimental effects of C2H4 on the quality of fresh fruits and vegetablesBut it should be kept in mind that many so-called detrimental effects of C2H4 are simply responses that are unwanted in certain situations, but which are beneficial in others. Their alteration should not be global, but confined to specific stages of
development, responses to specific situations, or to specific tissues. Molecular biology and genetic engineering may be able to dissect the biochemistry and physiology of ethylene and to produce fresh fruit and vegetables with specifically designed responses to ethylene. However, quality depends on a number of criteria, not just a few easily manipulated genetic traits. Many of these quality criteria (e.g. taste) are only fully expressed when there is a coordinated interplay among their various components. Traditional evaluation of these quality criteria in new cultivars and postharvest
practices will remain absolutely essential to provide consumers with quality fresh fruit andvegetables. Consumers are already redefiningquality to include nutritive as wells as visual and organoleptic criteria. Cultivars and postharvest
treatments which only maintain superficial appearance
at the expense of hidden, but increasingly
important criteria, will be replaced by
cultivars and technology which maintains a
greater level and number of quality attributes.