Chrysanthemum is among the most interesting and possibly the oldest one among the ornamental plants possessing wide genetic diversity. In recent years, researchers have used various conventional and non-conventional breeding techniques to understand the classification studies, correlation and association both at morphological and molecular level, with the wild relatives for introducing various ornamental traits from wild types to cultivated ones. Major traits which are targeted through biotechnological approaches includes development of novel flower colours, altered flower and plant morphology, insect-pest and disease resistance and enhanced post-harvest attributes. Development of varieties with novel traits provide marketing opportunities for retailers and cautious selection can increase both productivity as well as improving the quality of the products. So an attempt was made to condense the available literature that has been published on chrysanthemum breeding with more emphasis on improvement in floriculture point of view. In recent years, important strides were made in molecular breeding, particularly targeting the unusual colours through transgenics and understanding of flower genetics and flowering regulation.
