The results of a long-term program aimed at discovering the hidden potential and genetic variation of sunflower accessions in a germplasm collection and the creation of a set of homozygous lines are presented. A genetic collection has different levels of development: Level 1'homozygous lines with morphological characters are created; Level 2'genetic control of the characters and segregation visually estimated under field conditions are studied; Level 3'selection of lines homozygous for genes controlling biochemical characters; and Level 4'the identification of characters using DNA markers is envisaged. It is especially important that the VIR collection be actively maintained and used for genetic studies gene mapping as well as for creating cultivars and breeding lines to diversify the genetic base of cultivated sunflower.