Polyploidy in Medicinal Plants

• Polyploidy in Medicinal Plants increases chromosome sets, enhancing growth, yield, and active constituent content.
• Polyploidy in Medicinal Plants improves medicinal value, stress tolerance, and genetic diversity for better drug sources.

What is Polyploidy?

• Polyploidy is a genetic condition where a plant has more than two sets of chromosomes.
• While most plants are diploid (2n), polyploid plants can be triploid (3n), tetraploid (4n), or higher.

Types of Polyploidy

1. Autopolyploidy:

   • Extra chromosome sets originate from the same species.
   • Example: Atropa belladonna – Tetraploid varieties have higher alkaloid content.

2. Allopolyploidy:

   • Results from hybridization between different species, followed by chromosome doubling.
   • Example: Triticum aestivum (Wheat) – Used in medicinal applications.

Methods of Inducing Polyploidy

• Chemical Induction: Colchicine disrupts mitotic spindle fibers, causing chromosome doubling.
• Physical Methods: High temperature or radiation exposure.

Applications in Medicinal Plants

1. Increased Secondary Metabolite Production

   • Rauwolfia serpentina – Higher reserpine content.
   • Atropa belladonna – Higher tropane alkaloid levels.

2. Improved Growth & Biomass

   • Papaver somniferum – Increased morphine and codeine production.

3. Enhanced Disease Resistance

   • Panax ginseng – Greater pathogen resistance.

Advantages of Polyploidy in Medicinal Plants

• Higher bioactive compound content.
• Increased resistance to environmental stress.
• Larger plant organs, improving harvesting efficiency.

Disadvantages

• Some polyploids (e.g., triploids) are sterile.
• Slower growth in certain species.

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