Which of the following is known as the fruit ripening hormone?

Correct option is D

· Ethylene: Ethylene is a naturally occurring plant hormone involved in regulating fruit ripening and other growth processes.
· It is a gaseous hormone and plays a key role in the ripening of climacteric fruits like bananas, apples, and tomatoes.
· Mechanism: Ethylene triggers enzymes that soften fruit tissues, convert starches into sugars, and break down cell walls, leading to fruit ripening.
· Functions of Ethylene:
· Promotes fruit ripening.
· Induces leaf and flower senescence.
· Regulates abscission (leaf fall).
· Enhances seed germination.
· Other Hormones Explained:
· Auxin: Promotes cell elongation and differentiation.
· Cytokinin: Promotes cell division.
· Gibberellins: Stimulates stem elongation and seed germination.
· Therefore, Ethylene (Option D) is the correct answer.