Ethylene is known to have profound effects on the postharvest quality of climacteric fresh produce.Understandably,far less emphasis has been given to understanding the role that ethylene might have in the regulation of dormancy or senescence innon-climactericsystems.It is now well established that continuous postharvest ethylene supplementation can extend the storage life of some bulbs,roots and tubers even though these organs are very low ethylene producers.In potato,ethylene triggers dormancy break,but also inhibits sprout growth.In onion,both ethylene and the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene(MCP)inhibit sprouting,suggesting a surprisingly similar pattern of control.Indeed,1-MCP may act synergistically when combined with ethylene.Given this apparent dichotomy,the underlying mechanisms of ethylene and other hormones in regulating entry into dormancy,dormancy release and rate of post-dormant sprout growth will be discussed.Recent evidence in apparently conventional nonclimacteric fruit systems will also be used to demonstrate how a better understanding of either dormancy and/or senescence can be used to implement practical technological solutions to reduce postharvest waste.