Question

Artificial ripening of which of the following fruits is useless-----
A. Mango
B. Banana
C. Guava
D. Pomegranate or coconut.

Answer 1

The artificial ripening technique involves the ripening of the fruit artificially so that they repine faster and uniformly. Generally ripening is the normal physiological process that makes the fruit edible and nutritious.

Complete answer:
Artificial ripening is mainly done using chemical reagents that will stimulate the ripening of the fruits at a faster rate compared to the normal ripening. The most commonly used reagent includes ethephon. It penetrates inside the fruit body and is then converted to ethylene gas that promotes ripening. Hence it is also called ethylene ripening. Due to artificial ripening, the fruits become soft, change in colour, develop a characteristic aroma, and increase the sugar contents. In certain conditions during transportation, the fully ripened fruits will become spoilt hence the unripened fruits are subjected to artificial ripening. The negative effects of artificial ripening include stomach upset, high exposure may lead to the building- up of fluid in the lungs can lead to peptic ulcers. Some of the chemicals used in artificial ripening are ethylene gas, acetylene gas liberated from calcium carbide.
1. Mango- Mango is a type of drupe. It is made up of outer fleshy mesocarp and inner stony endocarp. The flesh is soft and bright yellow in colour and it is the edible part of the fruit.
2. Banana- it is a type of berry. It is produced in bunches. There is the presence of a protective covering that is the outer layer which is a peel. The inner portion is fleshy and edible. The seeds are small and numerous.
3. Guava- It is a fleshy fruit with an outer thin covering. The entire fruit is edible. There is the presence of minute seeds that are 3dible.
4. Pomegranate or coconut- pomegranate is an aggregation of berries where the fruit is made up of many seeds each surrounded by juicy and fleshy aril. Coconut is a dry fruit that is made up of tough exocarp and fleshy endocarp later that is developed into the endosperm.
Artificial ripening is mainly used in the case of fleshy fruits where the outer layer of them is fleshy and edible.
Artificial ripening of pomegranate or coconut is useless. Thus the correct answer is option D.

Note: Ethylene is mainly involved in the ripening of fruits and senescence.
It is the hormone that is gaseous in nature. It helps the plant throughout its life-span in small amounts.