Ethephon

Ethephon is the trade name of a plant growth regulator (basic manufacturer Rhone-Poulenc). Upon metabolism by the plant, it is converted into ethylene, a potent regulator of plant growth and maturity. It is often used on wheat, coffee, tobacco, and rice in order to help the plant's fruit reach maturity more quickly, whereas it would otherwise take several years to do so.

Although many environmental groups worry about toxicity resulting from use of growth hormones and fertilizers, the toxicity of Ethephon is actually very low[2], and any Ethephon used on the plant material is converted very quickly to ethylene[1].