Progress in Plant Polyploidization Based on Antimicrotubular Drugs

The results of artificial polyploidization for horticultural and agronomic plant species are presented in this review. The data on use of the classical antimitotic drug colchicine for chromosome doubling are reported. The efficacy of other compounds such as dinitroanilines and phosphorothioamidates in polyploidy induction as compared to colchicine has been summarized. The molecular basis of highly specific binding of dinitroanilines and phosphorothioamidates with plant tubulin for induction of efficient polyploidy are discussed.