A test cross is carried out to :
- Determine whether two species or varieties will breed successfully
- Determine the genotype of a plant at F2
- Predict whether two traits are linked
- Assess the number of alleles of a gene
Answer
(2) Determine the genotype of a plant at F2
Solution
As per NCERT, in a test cross an organism showing a dominant phenotype (e.g. a violet-flowered F2 plant) is crossed with the recessive parent.
⇒ If all progeny show the dominant trait, the plant is homozygous (TT); if progeny appear in 1 : 1 ratio, it is heterozygous (Tt).
∴ A test cross is used to determine the genotype of a plant at F2.
Answer: (2)