A SERIES OF statewide field tests were > conducted in 1973 to further study the performance of ethephon as an aid in fruit ripening of peppers under a wide variety of conditions. The tests were also intended to establish necessary residue and fruit quality information for registration. Greenhouse and field experiments conducted over the past five years in California indicated ethephon applications could result in improvement in ripening of chili, pimiento, and bell peppers for processing. Also observed were improvements in vine condition and fruit pod removal, which would greatly assist in a once-over, hand or machine harvest.