The possibility of obtaining somaclonal forms with increased resistance to hypoxia was demonstrated on three clonal varieties of the sugarcane using cell selections on selective media. Two selective in vitro systems were developed for selection of forms resistant to hypoxia. The culture of sugarcane tissues can be used in the selection directed at the increase of resistance to hypoxia. Sugarcane plants with increased tolerance to root water-logging were first obtained from the callus lines, selected for resistance to the toxic analogue of methionine, ethionine, and to anaerobic conditions. These plants can also be used in traditional selection as donors of such a resistance. © 1996 MAEe Cyrillic signK Hayκa/Interperiodica Publishing.