Present study was focused on the analyses of phenotypic traits (across field and laboratory trials) and transcriptional changes in cotyledons and roots of sunflower hybrids, exposed to different levels of drought stress. By comparing the level of dehydrins genes (DHNs) expression in tolerant and sensitive genotypes as response to drought and of the correlations between physiologic responses in laboratory and field screening, an efficient and easily manageable experimental test system for sunflower seedlings was established. Thus, DHNs genes (Rab18-like, Xero1 and COR47-like) differentially expressed under induced hydric stress could be used as a proceeding for estimation of plant drought survival, hence, improving the pre-screening trials in the breeding programs aimed on plant tolerance to water-deficit stresses.