ABSTRACT
Fruit evolved as means for production and spreading of seeds. However, a developmental series of gene expression for fruit growth has already been established well ahead of floral biology. An ovary must be stimulated in some way for fruit growth to occur, this is normally by pollination and fertilization. The importance of seeds as sources of hormones for initiation and stimulation of fruit growth is implied by fruit response to exogenous hormones in parthenocarpic systems. Ethylene emission is closely associated with fruit ripening in many species and it is the plant hormone that regulates and synchronizes the different aspects of the ripening process like colour development, aroma production and texture of the fruits. Ethylene having a pivotal role in the ripening of many fruit, the use of the ethylene action inhibitor 1-MCP has been considered for extending the storage life of a wide range of species through retarding fruit ripening and softening.
