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Can Ethylene in Greenhouses Harm Your Crop Yield?

December 30, 2025 at 10:24 pm | Updated December 30, 2025 at 10:24 pm | 12 min read

Vegetable growers should monitor ethylene, as it can cause stunting, defects, delayed flowering, and a significant reduction in yield. The extent of damage depends on the species, greenhouse type, temperature, ethylene concentration, exposure duration, and plant stage. Ethylene concentrations in greenhouses and indoor environments must be below 20 nmol⋅mol−1 (0.020 ppm or parts per million)… Continue reading…

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Additional reading

What Is an Ethylene Monitoring System and Why Is It Critical for Fresh Produce?

Ethylene monitoring systems can have fixed or portable sensors. Other components of the monitoring systems could be data logging, data transmission, connectivity, remote access, and a control event scheduler. The sensors used to detect ethylene must be sensitive, selective, stable, rapid, and have the required lower limit and detection range. Ethylene monitoring in the postharvest… Continue reading…

How to Detect and Control Ethylene in Storage Rooms

Ethylene must be monitored and controlled as even trace amounts in parts per billion can cause over-ripening, decay, and spoilage. Fixed and portable gas analyzers that can detect and monitor ethylene levels in storage facilities are available on the market. Several strategies exist to lower ethylene levels, including venting, the use of ethylene inhibitors, scrubbers,… Continue reading…

What Causes Avocado Quality Problems? Common Issues in the Supply Chain Explained

Avocados are challenging due to their unique ripening process, which requires a few days post-harvest to overcome the “tree factor.” The leading causes of quality problems are incorrect maturity at harvest, careless handling, and improper storage temperatures and gas mixtures in cool storage. Limiting problems starts with harvesting avocados at the correct maturity and quality… Continue reading…

What Are the Harvest Maturity Indices for Strawberries?

Strawberries can be harvested at two different maturities to meet marketing needs at varying distances. Color is the most critical parameter used as a maturity index for strawberry harvest. Other harvest maturity indices are size, sugar content, and taste. Non-destructive measurements using portable NIR spectroscopy devices are best suited for establishing harvest maturity indices. Strawberries… Continue reading…

How Is Non-Destructive Quality Assessment of Fresh Produce Changing the Supply Chain?

The standard quality parameters monitored are color, texture, sugar, titratable acidity, and dry matter content. Several destructive methods of estimation exist for the parameters. Near-infrared spectroscopy is currently the only non-destructive method for quality control of sugars, titrable acidity, internal color, and dry matter content. Near-infrared spectroscopy can precisely and rapidly estimate all quality parameters,… Continue reading…

How Real-Time 1-MCP Measurement is Revolutionizing Post-Harvest Freshness

When it comes to extending the shelf life of fresh produce, the industry has long relied on 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene) to slow down ripening and keep fruits fresher for longer. But up until now, one major challenge has remained: measuring 1-MCP accurately and in real-time. Felix Instruments is changing that with the launch of the 1-MCP… Continue reading…