Ethylene exposure in plants is primarily associated with which symptom?

Ethylene is a plant hormone that plays a critical role in various physiological processes, including fruit ripening, flower wilting, and leaf senescence. One of the main symptoms associated with ethylene exposure is leaf deformation. This can manifest as abnormal growth patterns, such as curling, twisting, or even discoloration of leaves. Ethylene can disrupt normal plant growth and development, leading to these deformations.

While ethylene does encourage flowering in some plant species, its primary association is not primarily with encouraged flowering but rather with the modulation of growth and stress responses, which can lead to leaf deformities. Thick, healthy stems and bright coloration of leaves do not directly represent the effects of ethylene exposure; instead, they may reflect healthy growth conditions or other hormonal influences in the plant. Therefore, recognizing leaf deformation as a symptom of ethylene exposure highlights its role in altering normal growth patterns in plants.