Nine released and pre-released varieties were screened for their physiological basis of adaptation under dry land situations at University of Agricultural Sciences, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bijapur Campus during 1999 and 2000.  The important physiological parameters identified for their adaptation under rainfed situation are Total Dry Matter at 50% flowering, Leaf Area Index, Relative Water Content at 50% flowering and harvest index.  The entires ICTP 8203 and ICMV 221 showed their superiority in all the above parameters thus, revealing their wider adaptability under rainfed situations.