Abstract: DNA sequence elements which effect anaerobic induction of genes in plants are identified and characterized. These sequence elements, designated anaerobic regulatory elements, confer inducibility by anaerobic conditions on downstress plant-expressible promoters and their associated structural genes. In particular, those sequences associated with anaerobic induction of the maize alcohol dehydrogenase and aldolase genes have been identified. These sequence elements can be employed in combination with appropriately positioned plant-expressible genes to produce chimeric, anaerobically inducible genes. Such constructs are useful for the selective expression of structural genes under anaerobic conditions in plants.