Basic in vitro techniques, linked with the increase of genetic variability and acceleration of the breeding process, have been mastered and applied in sunflower breeding programs at Dobroudja Agricultural Institute, Bulgaria. The method of direct organogenesis has been succesfully used for genetic modifications of fertility restorer lines RHA-857, 147 R and Z-8-A and for over coming the inability for crossing between H. annuus (hybrid Albena) and Helianthus tuberosus, Helianthus salicifolius, Helianthus maximiliani, Helianthus silphioides, Verbisina helianthoides and between H. mollis and H. annuus. The method of γ-induced parthenogenesis has been successfully applied to the cultivated sunflower (H. annuus L.) for obtaining doubled haploid lines. The parthenogenetic ability of both maternal and paternal parents and the gamma-irradiation effect on parthenogenic embryo development have been studied. A number of researches have been focused on the genetic potential of wild species from the genus Helianthus. Our studies investigated the possibilities of the methods for cultivation of embryos and anthers from interspecific origin. They included the use of the embryo cultivation technique under in vitro conditions until the production and testing of finished lines that could directly par ticipate in the breeding process. Embryos were isolated from interspecific hybrids (cultural x wild and wild x cultural) with the participation of the species H. resinosus M-046, H. strumosus M-059, H. salicifolius M-045, H. ciliaris M-092, H. giganteus M-030, H. maximiliani M-087 and H. glaucophylus M-012. The studies included and investigated 51 new lines which originated from embryos of the above interspecific crosses. A number of lines obtained from embryos of the above interspecific crosses exibited valuable economic indices and high combining ability. They were included as components in highly productive hybrids.