Wet-injury often occurs in upland cereals growing in the paddy field due to oxygen deficiency in the rhizosphere caused by excessive water in the soil. Under hypoxia, energy metabolism is diminished causing non­reversible damage to root cells. This study was conducted to investigate effects of hypoxia on root growth and enzymes involved in the fermentative energy metabolism in upland cereals including barley, wheat, rye and triticale. Young seedlings were subject to hypoxia for up to 7 days. Root fresh weight and dry weight were decreased significantly by hypoxia for 5 to 7 days in all cereal seedlings. Root growth retardation under hypoxia was lowest in barley. Hypoxia-induced increases in activity and isozyme expression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were commonly observed in roots of all cereal seedlings. The inherent ADH activity levels were higher in barley but the hypoxia-induced increases in ADH activities were lowest in barley than other cereals. The inherent LDH activity levels were lower in barley and the hypoxia-induced increases in LDH activities were lower in barley than other cereals. The results suggest the importance of the rapid enhancement of fermentative enzyme systems for increased tolerance to hypoxia.