A new sunflower necrosis disease (SND) caused by a strain of Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) creates epiphytotics in many sunflower-growing states in India since 1996-97. A survey has revealed that its incidence ranged from 30 to 100% in production fields. The disease being new, sources of resistance are still under investigation. Presently, use of imedacloprid insecticide has been advocated to combat the disease. Effect of different sowing dates on incidence of necrosis disease was studied at ORS, Latur, during 1999-2001. The data revealed that the sunflower sown in July and August had high necrosis incidence. Changes in sowing period may help in combating disease incidence.