THE ROLE OF ETHYLENE IN THE REGULATION OF FRUIT RIPENING IN THE HILLAWI DATE PALM (PHOENIX-DACTYLIFERA L)

The role of ethylene in the regulation of fruit ripening in the date p alm (Phoenix dactylifera L) was investigated. It was found that the ra te of CO2 output was high initially, but the rate declined steadily as the fruit advanced in maturity, reaching its lowest level as the frui t entered the stage of physiological maturity, but then the rate of re spiration increased as the fruit entered the ripening phase, reached a peak value and then declined. Ethylene emission was not detected unti l the 91st day from pollination when ethylene production began with a rapid increase in emission, reaching a peak value within 15 days and t hen declining rapidly. The peak of ethylene production preceded the cl imacteric peak by 7 days.