The application of polyploidy in sustainable agriculture has already brought much appreciation among researchers. Polyploidy may occur naturally or can be induced in the laboratory using chemical or gaseous agents and results in complete chromosome nondisjunction. This comprehensive review described the potential of polyploidization on plants, especially its role in crop improvement for enhanced production and host-plant resistance development against pests and diseases. An in-depth investigation on techniques used in the induction of polyploidy, cytogenetic evaluation methods of different ploidy levels, application, and current research trends is also presented. Ongoing research has mainly aimed to bring the recurrence in polyploidy, which is usually detected by flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and cytogenetic techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Polyploidy can bring about positive consequences in the growth and yield attributes of crops, making them more tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the unexpected change in chromosome set and lack of knowledge on the mechanism of stress alleviation is hindering the application of polyploidy on a large scale. Moreover, a lack of cost–benefit analysis and knowledge gaps on the socio-economic implication are predominant. Further research on polyploidy coupling with modern genomic technologies will help to bring real-world market prospects in the era of changing climate. This review on polyploidy provides a solid foundation to do next-generation research on crop improvement.

Supernumerary B chromosomes (Bs) have been documented in over 2000 species across the plant, animal, and fungal kingdoms, representing one of the most intriguing components of the genome that have consistently garnered significant attention in the past. These Bs form a distinct category of chromosomes that are not deemed essential. While coexisting with the standard set of chromosomes in an organism, the copy numbers of Bs can vary among individuals within a population or even among cells within a single organism. Multiple processes, including chromosomal rearrangement, uneven segregation, chromatid non-disjunction, and deletion in specific regions, lead to the formation of the Bs from the A chromosome. These dispensable Bs possess their own genetic content and do not undergo recombination with A chromosomes. Although various roles of Bs in breeding have been explored in the literature, their specific role in wheat improvement remains unclear. The understanding of their origins, composition, and evolutionary history in wheat is still incomplete. Therefore, this review discusses the current knowledge of the genetic makeup of Bs, their functions, their relationship with A chromosomes, and the morphogenetic consequences in the context of wheat.