A laboratory experiment was conducted during 2002-003. The purpose was to develop an effective and rapid screening tool to assess the genetic variability for the response of some local barley varieties to polyethylene glycol- induced osmotic stress at early growth stage. Also this will help to evaluate the relevance of pre-exposure of barley seedlings to sub-lethal (induction) levels of osmotic stress. This might enhance the capacity of seedlings to tolerate the lethal levels of stress.