The invention is directed to methods of modifying the plant development process comprising of exposing a plant or plant part to volatiles biosynthesized by one or more bacteria or enzymes. Specifically, the embodiment uses one or more bacteria selected from the plant growth promoting bacteria group consisting of Rhodococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., or Xanthobacter spp., or a mixture thereof. A closed apparatus, FIG. 1A, containing a tri-phasic system is used to expose the bacteria to hydrocarbons, iron, cyanide, and/or ammonium compounds; the method induces the biocatalyst to biosynthesize volatile compound(s) that deter ethylene production in climacteric plants or fruit resulting in the biocatalyst ability to delay fruit ripening.