A growing body of evidence confirms that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at low, physiological concentrations has a positive effect on metabolism in plant cells. H2S affects the mechanisms of regulation of stomata movement, promotes the growth of adventitious roots, and enhances plant resistance under conditions of abiotic and biotic stress. The study examined the resistance of young sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings of hybrid "Luka" and its paternal and maternal lines to the stress caused by lack of soil water at water retention capacity (WRC) and 30% WRC. Before sowing, sunflower seeds were osmoprimed in NaHS solutions, 500 μM and 1000 μM lead, and non osmoprimed seed was used for control. The following growth parameters were analyzed: number of seedlings, weight of aboveground part and weight of leaves. The results of the tested parameters indicate that, regardless of seed type and variant of osmopriming, in average, dry stress decreased the number of emerged plants, the weight of the aboveground part and the leaves. Osmopriming with NaHS solutions resulted in a positive effect on the increase of the analyzed growth indicators both in seedlings grown under WRC and under conditions of drought stress. A different effect of osmopriming and water deficiency on young seedlings was determined, which was dependent on the type of seed tested. The results obtained, indicate that the effect of seed osmopriming and resistance to drought stress also depends on the genetic basis. Due to the increasing problem of water scarcity in agricultural production globally, studies addressing the physiological effects of compounds such as NaHS, which is also used as a fungicide, are of great importance in increasing the resistance of plants, caused by both, biotic and abiotic environmental factors