Diazocyclopentadiene (DACP) has been shown to be an effective reagent for the ethylene receptor. Treatment of mung bean sprouts or tobacco leaves with DACP in the light or in the dark inactivates much of the ethylene binding. In the light, inactivation seems to be permanent, while in the dark, the site becomes active again after the DACP diffuses away. The compound is 10 times more effective in the light than in the dark. DACP inhibits banana ripening indicating the physiological receptor is involved. It also overcomes the inhibitory effect of ethylene on mung bean seedling growth (Km = 0.09 µl/1 E) at low ethylene levels. At high ethylene levels, an apparent high ethylene level site becomes apparent (Km = 50 µl/1 E) and growth is inhibited.