Influence of pre harvest ethephon application on various physical, physiological and biochemical attributes of agricultural crops: A-review

Ethylene is a gaseous hormone which is known to promote, inhibit or modify a number of physiological processes in plants.In particular the role of ethylene in fruit ripening, abscission and senescence has been studied extensively.There are number of ethylene releasing compounds which are used in agriculture for its effect on various physiological process.Among different ethylene releasing compounds Ethephon has been primarily used commercially.Ethephon is particularly used in horticulture as a post-harvest treatment for the ripening of climacteric fruits.Beside of its use as a post-harvest treatment Ethephon can be successfully used as a pre harvest treatment for the induction of flowers, enhancement of pistillate flowers and yield and quality of different crops.Application of Ethephon under stress condition is also known to improve photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system.It has been concluded that Ethephon has been studied extensively for its post-harvest responses and its pre harvest responses has been neglected.Therefore in this review focus has been given to the responses of Ethephon as a pre harvest treatment.This review may provide useful information regarding the influence of pre harvest application of Ethephon on various attributes of plants under normal as well under different stress conditions.