Test Cross

A test cross is a breeding method rather than a terpene, but the term appears in cannabis genetics discourse when breeders assess terpene expression across offspring. In this approach, a plant with known or desired terpene traits is crossed with a homozygous recessive individual to reveal hidden genetic variation. This technique helps breeders map which terpene profiles are dominant, recessive, or co-dominant in their working lines. Test crosses are foundational to understanding how volatile compounds distribute across generations and identifying stable breeding stock for terpene-focused cultivar development.

Breeders use test crosses to phenotype terpene inheritance patterns without requiring multiple generations of self-pollination or backcrossing. Results guide decisions about which parent plants to retain for future breeding programs aimed at specific aroma or flavor profiles.