Determination of Ploidy Levels in Plant Cells

Misdivisions during meiosis or mitosis can lead to a multiplication of the entire set of chromosomes. This phenomenon is called pluriploidy and occurs in many plants, in particular flowering plants (angiosperms). Plants can easily adapt to ploidy changes. Due to the changes, altered phenotypes can develop, and as a result the individuals may potentially occupy new ecological niches or outcompete species. Determination of the ploidy level is therefore a central aspect in many plant research fields, including taxonomy, plant development, and plant breeding.