7. Polyploidy breeding

In sexually reproducing organisms, the somatic cells have two complete sets of chromosomes. This is referred to as diploid (2n). The gametes have only one set of chromosomes. This is referred to as haploid (n).

Polyploidy occurs in nature due to the failure of the separation of chromosomes at anaphase. It can be artificially induced by:

 

1. Physical agents - heat, cold treatment and X-rays.

 

2. Chemical agents - colchicine.

 

Depending on the number of sets of chromosomes present in a polyploid, it is called triploid (3n), tetraploid (4n), pentaploid (5n), hexaploidy (6n) etc. The polyploids with an odd number of chromosome sets are sexually sterile and thus, must be vegetatively propagated. The types of polyploidy:

 

a. Autopolyploid

 

b. Allopolyploid

 

 

Some of the achievements of polyploidy breeding include:

 

i. Seedless watermelons (3n) and bananas (3n).

 

 

ii. Tea cultivar triploid variety - TV-29 has larger shoots and are drought tolerant.

 

iii. Triticale (6n) is a wheat-rye hybrid. Polyploidy is used to make this plant fertile. It has more dietary fibre and protein. Among artificially produced polyploidy, triticale is the first man-made crop derived by crossing rye and wheat.

 

 

iv. Raphano brassica is an allotetraploid induced by colchicine treatment. It is an artificial hybridization of radish (Raphanus) and cabbage (Brassica).