It is recommended that onions, nuts, citrus, and potatoes each be stored separately. Ethylene Many commodities produce ethylene as a natural product and this gas can have undesirable effects, such as causing abscission of leaves and flower petals, yellowing, russetting, and senescence. Thus, commodities sensitive to ethylene should not be mixed with those producing the gas. Commodities that are affected by ethylene include cabbage, carrots, lettuce, various greens, watermelons, kiwifruit, nursery stocks, and some kinds of flowers and florist greens. Commodities that are known to produce considerable ethylene are apples, avocados, bananas, pears, peaches, plums, cantaloupes, honey dew melons, and tomatoes.
Ethylene also induces ripening of many fruits and vegetables .
F but may cause harm at higher temperatures. For this reason, products such as cucumbers, peppers, and acorn squash, which need to be stored at a minimum temperature of 45 to 50 o F and in which retention of green color is desired, should not be stored with apples, pears, tomatoes, or other ethylene-producing products. Compatibility of Selected, Fresh Perishable Commodities Commodity Temp. Published by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.