Seven sunflower female lines, obtained from HA-89 after incorporating broomrape resistance with 3-4 backcrosses using different broomrape resistant sources, were evaluated for development of broomrape resistant hybrids.

Eight female lines (CMS of the maintainer HA-89 and 7 new females), 2 restorers, and their 16 F1 hybrid combinations were used in the study. Female lines, restorers and their F1 hybrids were tested against Orobanche. Agronomic and quality characterization of the parental lines were also carried out in this study.

Although 7 backcross derivatives of HA-89 were found to be resistant to broomrape, only six of them gave resistant hybrid combinations after crossing with broomrape susceptible restorers. When compared with HA-89, some of the backcross derived female lines were found to be similar or improved for several characters, such as oil content.