Question

Artificial ripening of fruits is carried out by
A. Auxin
B. Gibberellin
C. Abscisic acid
D. Ethylene

Answer 1

Hint: Artificial ripening of fruit is known to speed up the ripening process of fruits using some chemical agents or hormones. These chemicals are particularly the hydrocarbons. As it’s not always possible to wait for the fruit to ripen naturally; hence the artificial ripening of fruits is done.

Complete answer:
Ethylene is a small hydrocarbon gas and also a phytohormone or plant hormone. Fruits produce ethylene when ripening starts. Ethylene is responsible for the changes in fruit like texture, softening, smell, color, and others. Ethylene gas is nowadays commercially available to ripen tomatoes, bananas, pears, apples, mangoes, and few other fruits to make consistent availability in the market.
Most of the fruits produce hydrocarbon gaseous compounds namely ethylene and fruit start ripening. As the fruit grows, they produce more and more amounts of ethylene which really speeds up this process of ripening. Moving towards other options:
Option A: AUXIN- is the plant hormone that’s responsible for cell elongation in shoot and regulation of plant growth. They can promote the growth of shoot segments.
Option B: GIBBERELLIN - is the plant hormone involved in the elongation process, germination, dormancy, leaves and fruits senescence, and flowering. The elongation process refers to promoting the growth of intact shoots.
Option C: ABSCISIC ACID- these plant hormones are held responsible for inhibiting growth in response to changes in temperature and light durations during different seasons.

Hence, the correct answer is option D. Ethylene.

Note:
Ethylene is the plant growth regulator responsible for regulating and stimulating fruit ripening and the opening of flowers and shedding of leaves. Other vital functions include speeding up of flower and leaf senescence. Also breaks the dormancy period of seeds, buds, and other organs.