| Summary: | Gene silencing is the epigenetic regulation of any gene in order to prevent gene expression at the transcription or translation levels. Among various gene silencing techniques, RNA silencing (RNAi) is notable gene regulation technique that involves sequence-specific targeting and RNA degradation. However, the effectiveness of transgene-induced RNAi in F<sub>1</sub> generation of chrysanthemum has not been studied yet. In the current study, we used RNAi-constructed <i>CmTFL1</i> (white-flowered) and <i>CmSVP</i> overexpressed (yellow flowered) transgenic plants of previously conducted two studies for our experiment. Cross hybridization was performed between these intergeneric transgenic and non-transgenic plants of the winter-growing chrysanthemum selection “37” (light pink flowered). The transgene <i>CmSVP</i> was confirmed in F<sub>1</sub> hybrids by RT-PCR analysis, whereas hybrids of <i>CmTFL1</i> parental plants were non-transgenic. Besides this, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to explain the molecular mechanism of flower development using reference genes. Intergeneric and interspecific hybrids produced different colored flowers unlike their respective parents. These results suggest that generic traits of <i>CmSVP</i> overexpressed plants can be transferred into F<sub>1</sub> generations when crossed with mutant plants. This study will aid in understanding the breeding phenomenon among intergeneric hybrids of chrysanthemum plants at an in vivo level, and such transgenics will also be more suitable for sustainable flower yield under a low-light production system.
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