The beginning of scientifically grounded sunflower breeding date to 1912, when a program of varietal development was established. First methods applied in sunflower breeding were mass and individual selection for specific characteristics. Under the leadership of V.S. Pustovoit, a method was developed for obtaining highyielding varietal populations based on individual selection and seed reserve that is used through the selection cycle. Using this method, the oil content in seed was increased from 35% to 55%. The resistance to the parasite Orobanche cumana and some diseases was incorporated into sunflower varieties. Another step in sunflower breeding was made by G. Pustovoit when it was introduced interspecific hybridization (crossing H. tuberosus with cultivated sunflower). Extensive genetic studies on sunflower inbreeding and heterosis were conducted in the second half of the 20th century by a large number of researchers. Practical utilization of heterosis in sunflower begun with the discovery of a stable source of cytoplasmic male sterility, discovered by Leclerq in 1969, in the wild sunflower H. petiolaris. After the discovery of the first cms and first restorer gene (by Kinman, 1970), a large number of breeding centers for developing sunflower hybrids were established. The first objectives in sunflower breeding programs place emphasis on high seed yield and high oil content. The selection must be targeted on genotypes with high oil content in kernels – to obtain a high oil yield per unit. For a successful realization of high yields it is necessary to improve a range of properties and characteristics, such harvest index, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, earliness, adaptability. The increase in market segmentation has had a great impact on breeding goals in the last few years. In recent period, introgression of genes for herbicides resistance (imidazolinone and sulfonylurea) from wild Helianthus species has become a topical breeding objective for both oil and confectionery sunflower. Detection of genes for modified oil quality of sunflower and their introduction into productive genotypes are important objectives. The new mutant have a high oleic acid content or palmitic or stearic acid. Developing hybrids with modified tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) is an important breeding objective because this feature may increase storage life of oil. Defining an ideal plant type, for specific agroecological conditions is also important in sunflower breeding.