The phytohormone ethylene responds positively to abiotic stress, but its effect on quality deterioration of freshcut Chinese water chestnuts (CWCs) caused by mechanical damage remains unclear. Here, the effects of single or combination treatments of ethephon (ET) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fresh-cut CWCs during storage at 10 degrees C for 5 d were investigated. The results indicated that ET treatment was most effective in maintaining CWCs' visual quality, followed by 1-MCP preceding ET treatment, 1-MCP treatment, and 1-MCP following ET treatment. Compared with 1-MCP treatment group, E...