Yesterday in my Plant Form and Function course, I was discussing fruit
ripening (especially in relation to the role of ethylene and climacteric).
One of my students mentioned that her parents hasten the ripening of
tomatoes at home by leaving them on a counter and placing a dish over them.
She wanted to know whether that practice had anything to do with ethylene.
I responded that covering the fruit might promote the accumulation of
ethylene, and hence the ripening of fruit, but I wasn't really sure. I
checked a few of my books on practial botany, and could not find an
explanation. If anyone could provide a brief explanation as to why
partially covering a green tomato promotes its ripening I would be
grateful.
Ken Klemow
Wilkes U.
kklemow at wilkes1.wilkes.edu
