Which plant hormone is a volatile gas that promotes fruit ripening and abscission of plant organs?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Ethylene is a unique gaseous plant hormone that regulates various growth processes, most notably stimulating fruit ripening in climacteric crops and promoting the abscission of leaves, flowers, and fruits. Plant regulators like auxins and gibberellins are primarily involved in cell elongation and stem growth rather than acting as volatile ripening gases. Horticultural practices often utilize artificial ethylene application to manage fruit harvesting and storage timelines efficiently.