Abstract
Fruits of Momordica charantia, L. synthesize ethylene, the rate of which increased substantially prior to ripening. Treatment of mature green fruits with exogenous ethylene concentrations of 0·5 to 10·0 ?l/l greatly decreased the length of time between harvest and fruit ripening. Endogenous synthesis of ethylene appears to be involved in the natural regulatory system controlling fruit ripening of M. charantia.
