What is polyploidy? best reference materials?

Polyploidy is a condition in which an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes. It can occur naturally in some species or be induced artificially in others. Polyploidy is relatively common in plants, but it can also occur in animals.

Polyploidy can have significant effects on an organism's characteristics, including its size, fertility, and adaptability. It can lead to increased vigor, larger cell size, and altered gene expression patterns. Polyploid plants often exhibit larger flowers, fruits, or leaves compared to their diploid counterparts.

When it comes to reference materials on polyploidy, here are some suggestions:

1. Books:
- "Polyploidy: Biological Relevance" edited by T. D. Grant and C. B. Baker
- "Polyploidy and Genome Evolution" edited by G. R. Leitch and J. Greilhuber
- "Polyploidy and Hybridization in Fishes" edited by G. G. Pollock, J. J. Windell, and G. M. Grier

2. Scientific Journals:
- The Plant Cell
- Genome Biology and Evolution
- New Phytologist
- Molecular Biology and Evolution

3. Online Resources:
- The Polyploidy Portal (https://polyploidy.org/)
- The Polyploidy Database (https://polyploidy.umaine.edu/)
- The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

These resources should provide you with a comprehensive understanding of polyploidy, its mechanisms, and its implications in various organisms.