The present invention relates to sunflower seeds which have been
genetically modified through two artificial induction cycles of mutations
followed in each case by processes for the identification of mutant
individuals which have the desired character. The disclosed seeds are
characterised in that they contain between 26% and 80% of the tocopherols
as delta-tocopherol. This high delta-tocopherol production is determined
by the genotype of the seeds which have been modified to this effect, and
is always obtained independently of the culture conditions, thereby
obtaining an inheritable character. Today, sunflower seeds producing such
high levels of delta-tocopherol do not exist. Genetically modified
sunflower plants which produce through self-fertilization seeds with high
delta-tocopherol levels and the oil with high natural delta-tocopherol
concentration, extracted from the seeds, are also objectives of the
present invention.