Sunflower is familiar worldwide for its beauty; it is also an important source of food. Sunflower is a newly introduced oilseed crop, but it was grown in India as ornamental plant since ancient times. As an oilseed crop it was introduced in India for the first time in 1969. Sunflower oil is a valued and healthy vegetable oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy, tasty snack and nutritious ingredient to many foods. Sunflowers are a native North American plant, believed to have started in what now is Arizona and New Mexico as early as 3000 B.C. Sunflower is one of the most important oil seed crop grown in temperate countries. In India it has gained popularity due to the national priority of vegetable oil production.