reciprocal cross In genetics, one of a pair of crosses in which the two opposite mating types (or sexes) are each coupled with each of two different genotypes and mated with the reciprocal combination, e.g. male of genotype A × female of genotype B (first cross), and male of genotype B × female of genotype A (the reciprocal cross). Such crosses are used to detect sex linkage, maternal inheritance, or cytoplasmic inheritance.

reciprocal cross In genetics, one of a pair of crosses in which the two opposite mating types (or sexes) are each coupled with each of two different genotypes and mated with the reciprocal combination, e.g. male of genotype A × female of genotype B (first cross), and male of genotype B × female of genotype A (the reciprocal cross). Such crosses are used to detect sex linkage, maternal inheritance, or cytoplasmic inheritance.

reciprocal cross A cross reversing the roles of males and females to confirm the results obtained from an earlier cross. For example, if the pollen (male) from tall plants is transferred to the stigmas (female) of dwarf plants in one cross, the reciprocal cross would use the pollen of dwarf plants to pollinate the stigmas of tall plants.