Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the major crops around the world, which is cultivated on a surface of 21 million hectares. It is one of the three crop species along with soybean and rapeseed which account for approximately 78% of the world vegetable oil. Heterosis of these crops has been exploited only over the past few decades. Hybrid sunflower became a reality with the discovery of cytoplasmic male sterility and effective male fertility restoration system during 1970. Hybrid vigor has been the main driving force for acceptance of this oilseed crop. Utilization of heterosis has allowed sunflower to become one of the major oilseed in many countries of Eastern and Western Europe, Russia and South America and is an important crop in the USA, Australia, South Africa, China, India and Turkey. Sunflower hybrid breeding has thus played a vital role in improvement of this crop. In this review, effort has been made to discuss the various approaches for hybrid breeding in sunflower and present status for development of hybrids in sunflower.
