The ripening of fruits is hastened by the application of:

Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that plays a significant role in the ripening of fruits. Commercially, ethephon (which releases ethylene) is used to induce ripening in fruits like tomatoes and bananas.

• Auxins can be used to prevent premature fruit drop but are not the primary ripening agent.
• Cytokinins delay senescence.
• Gibberellins can affect fruit size and development but not primarily ripening.