Cotton ovules grown in culture float on the liquid medium and produce fibers only on the surface exposed to air. For the first time, fibers have been induced from the submerged portion of the ovule. Five media containing different combinations of IAA and GA_3, as well as five different ages of ovules were used to study induction and development of submerged fiber growth. The induction rate was determined by the ratio of the number of ovules producing submerged fibers to the total number of ovules in culture. Hormone combinations and the age of ovules affected the induction of submerged fiber growth. Relatively high levels of IAA (5-20 M) were required to induce the growth of submerged fibers. In addition, 0 DPA and -1 DPA ovules had more potential to produce submerged fibers than other ages of ovules. Other factors, such as pH of the medium, may also play a role in submerged fiber induction and growth.