Ethylene accelerates aging in cut flowers. Which statement is true?

Ethylene accelerates aging in cut flowers. Which statement is true?

• A. It slows aging
• B. It accelerates aging
• C. It has no effect
• D. It promotes seed germination

Answer: (B)

Ethylene acts as a aging signal for plant tissues. In cut flowers, exposure to ethylene triggers senescence processes such as petal yellowing and wilting, tissue softening, and stem abscission, all of which shorten vase life. Because its effect is to speed up these aging responses, the statement that ethylene accelerates aging is the correct one. It does not slow aging or have no effect in typical postharvest conditions, and while ethylene can influence seed germination in some species, that outcome isn’t the relevant context for cut flower longevity.

Ethylene acts as a aging signal for plant tissues. In cut flowers, exposure to ethylene triggers senescence processes such as petal yellowing and wilting, tissue softening, and stem abscission, all of which shorten vase life. Because its effect is to speed up these aging responses, the statement that ethylene accelerates aging is the correct one. It does not slow aging or have no effect in typical postharvest conditions, and while ethylene can influence seed germination in some species, that outcome isn’t the relevant context for cut flower longevity.