A procedure employed in genetics to determine the genotype of an individual expressing a dominant trait involves crossing that individual with a homozygous recessive individual. The resultant offspring phenotypes reveal the genetic makeup of the parent expressing the dominant trait. For example, if a plant exhibits a dominant flower color, this method can determine whether it possesses two dominant alleles or one dominant and one recessive allele.
This approach is valuable because it allows researchers to deduce the unknown genotype of an organism based on the observed phenotypes of its progeny. Its utility extends to plant and animal breeding programs, facilitating the selection of individuals with desirable traits. Historically, this technique has played a pivotal role in understanding the principles of inheritance and constructing genetic maps.