Object: Heterosis breeding of confectionery sunflower. Objective: To theoretically justify applicability of varieties - populations for creation of homozygous lines with valuable confectionery properties, to establish the heterosis level, inheritance nature of valuable traits in the first generation hybrids, to develop starting material for heterosis breeding of confectionery sunflower. Methods: General scientific, field, laboratory, mathematical-statistical. Novelty: A scientific task of using heterosis in confectionery sunflower breeding was solved. For the first time in Ukraine, 163 sunflower varieties - populations were screened for confectionery properties. Nine sources of valuable traits were selected to create starting material for heterosis sunflower breeding, and, on their basis, 14 inbred lines with high confectionery properties were developed. Significant effects of female and male forms as well as their interaction on yield capacity, 1000-achene weight and oil content in achenes of F1 hybrids were found. Specific features of inheritance of traits were identified upon crossing genotypes that are valuable for confectionery hybrids. Optimal of values of 1000-achene weight and protein content in kernels of lines were determined. Lines Ckh51A, Kh1316V, and Kh2301V - sources and donors of confectionery properties were created. Results: Five collections were co-authored: basic (1,091 accessions), trait (50 accessions) in compliance with the UPOV methodology, educational (66 accessions), trait (40 accessions) for resistance to pathogens, trait (181 accessions) for biochemical composition of seeds. They enlarged the National Plant Genetic Bank of Ukraine. Five sunflower hybrids ('Shumer', 'Atlet', 'Forsazh', 'Hudvin' and 'Sponsor') and three parents (Ckh51A, Kh1316V, Kh2301V) were created and submitted for the state trials. Hybrid 'Shumer' and lines Ckh51A and Kh1316V were included in the State Register of Plant Varieties suitable for dissemination in Ukraine in 2015. Degree of Implementation: Seven constant inbred lines were created and transferred to the genebank, which was confirmed by Ukrainian registration certificates for the plant gene pool accessions. The lines were involved in breeding programs at the Plant Production Institute named after VYa Yuriev of NAAS and the Institute of Oil Crops of NAAS. A method for categorizing sunflower accessions by protein content in kernels, which improves assessment of lines and conduct of breeding activities, was developed (utility model patent No. 61248, IPC (2011.01) A99Z99/00). Scope of Implementation: scientific institutions of NAAS and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, higher educational establishments, agrarian enterprises of Ukraine.
