M. K. Ghodke, A. M. Misal, M. Y. Dudhe, M. V. Dhuppe, S.P. Pole, S. V. Waghmare, M. Sujatha Sunflower hybrid, released, downy mildew resistance, seed, oil yield 55-61 9 (2) 2025 April 2025 In India most of the released public sector sunflower hybrids have a narrow genetic base and are vulnerable to the sunflower downy mildew (SDM) disease. Under the regime of the coordinated network project on sunflower in the country (CRP), Oilseeds Research Station (VNMKV), Latur, Maharashtra, center, developed the high-yielding and downy mildew-resistant sunflower hybrid LSFH-171 that was released during the year 2018 for commercial cultivation in India. The hybrid was developed by crossing CMS-17 A (Female parent) with downy mildew resistant restorer line RHA-1-1 (Male parent). On an average of 102 trials conducted for seven years (2009-2015) in India. This hybrid was found promising for seed yield (1831 kg/ha) with 8.3 and 17.4 % superiority over the national check hybrids KBSH-44 and DRSH-1 respectively. The oil yield of the LSFH-171 (608 kg/ha) revealed that it is 5.3 percent higher over check KBSH-44 and at par with DRSH-1. The hybrid screened under the downy mildew sick plot under the artificial epiphytotic condition showed resistant reaction (0%) to downy mildew disease as against susceptible reaction of check hybrid KBSH-44 (62.0 %) and DRSH-1 (73.2 %). Being high yield potential, LSFH-171 also showed tolerance to major pest and lodging resistance. Due to dense seed filling and high test weight (6.1 g) this new hybrid is a suitable choice for the farmers of India under rainfed and irrigated conditions.