Abstract: Sunflower seed color is determined by pigmentation of three layers of the sunflower pericarp (hull), epidermis, hypodermis, and phytomelanin layer. The present invention identifies RFLP markers linked to factor(s) affecting seed hypodermis pigmentation and identifies the relation between this trait and oil percentage in the sunflower seed. Seeds with white hypodermis had lower oil percentage than those with unpigmented hypodermis. The Hyp factor was found located in the same map interval region as one QTL with major effects on seed oil percentage. The linkage between the top factor and the QTL with the seed oil can be employed in breeding sunflowers to improve seed oil percentage.