By the beginning of19th century, Russian farmers had planted more than 2 million acres of sunflowers. During this period, two specific types were identified: oil products for edible oil production and two oil products for direct human consumption.
The government's research plan was implemented, and "V. S. Pustovoit" carried out a very successful breeding plan in Krasnodar, which significantly improved the content and output of edible oil. The most prestigious sunflower science prize in the world is called Pustovoit Prize.
This exotic North American plant was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers around 1500. This plant is widely distributed in contemporary western Europe, mainly as an ornamental plant, but some medicinal plants have been developed. By 17 16, the British patent was granted the right to extract oil from sunflower seeds.
Sunflowers became very popular as cultivated plants in the18th century. Most of the credit goes to Peter the Great of Russia. The plant was originally used as an ornamental plant, but by 1769, it was mentioned in the literature that sunflower can be used to produce edible oil for planting. By 1830, sunflower seed oil will be produced on a commercial scale.
Russian Orthodox Church has increased the popularity of sunflower oil by banning most edible oils from Lent. Because sunflower seed oil was not included in the banned list, it immediately became popular as food.