Promising initial material in sunflower hybrids breeding for self-fertility and bee-attractiveness

52 sunflower samples of different origin were studied. Significant differences among the samples for self-fertility and bee-attractiveness were revealed. Self-fertility varied from 6.1 % (OP-variety Flagman) to 75.0 % (hybrid Kubansky 930). Hybrid CMS Kubansky 930 has maximum value for bee attractiveness - 10 bees per plant per hour; line VK-571 has minimum value - 2 bees per plant per hour. The most valuable for breeding are samples, combining high self-fertility and bee attractiveness. Among our samples such traits have hybrids Kubansky 930, Mercury, Jupiter, among the inbred lines - VK-551, VK-585, and VK-276. Such characters as self-fertility and bee-attractiveness allow us to identify initial material more precisely and must be used in breeding practice.