Role of polyploidy in improvement of vegetable crops: A review

Polyploidy, the condition of having more than two sets of chromosomes plays a significant role in the improvement of vegetable crops. This phenomenon can occur naturally or be induced artificially and has proven to be a valuable tool in enhancing desirable traits in crops. Polyploidy can lead to increased vigour, size and resistance to environmental stressors as well as improved nutritional quality and disease resistance. The review explores the mechanisms by which polyploidy influences vegetable crops including its effects on plant morphology, fertility and yield. Additionally, it highlights the methods of inducing polyploidy such as the use of colchicine, other chemical agents and the potential challenges associated with polyploid breeding. Recent advances in molecular biology and genomics have further explained the genetic basis of polyploidy providing new opportunities for the development of improved vegetable cultivars. This review also discusses the future prospects of polyploidy in vegetable crop breeding focusing on its potential to address food security challenges by improving crop productivity and resilience.