The phytohormone ethylene responds positively to abiotic stress, but its effect on quality deterioration of fresh-cut 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 °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 tre...