The relationships of different seedling growth parameters with yield and yield components were studied in cultivated sunflower under non-saline (ECe2 dSm-1) and saline conditions (EGe 10 dSm-1). Inbred lines having shallow roots with low fresh weight and greater shoot length at the seedling stage produced higher seed yield under non-saline conditions. Seedling parameters showed very complex associations with seed yield under saline conditions. It was rather difficult to select high-yielding lines at the seedling stage under saline conditions, but oil yield could be increased indirectly through more seed weight, greater head diameter, and high oil content by selecting lines with shallow roots having more dry weight, and longer shoots having more fresh and dry weight. Selection of inbred lines having longer shoo6 with more fresh and dry weight under non-saline conditions appeared to be effective for achieving high seed-yielding lines for saline soils.