![Diagram showing Mendel's inheritance of multiple traits in peas.](http://static.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/images/000/002/481/full/inheritance_of_multiple_traits_in_peas_oversize20161202-11171-163zewg.jpg?1674168252)
Mendel cross-bred plants with 2 or more traits and found that each trait was inherited independently of the other and produced its own 3:1 ratio. For example, a plant with round, yellow seeds crossed with a plant with wrinkled green seeds gives a ratio of 9:3:3:1. This is the basis for Mendel’s principle of independent assortment.