The development of three cytolytic enzyme activities was assessed at sequential stages of germination for water-steeped and also gibberellic acid-treated samples of six barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars. The cytolytic enzymes were barley-β-glucan endo-hydrolase, endo-β 1,4-glucanase and endo-β 1,3-glucanase. Significant differences in the activity development profiles of the three enzymes were noted. Differences between cultivars were quite apparent for the barley-β-glucan endo-hydrolase activities but not for the other two activities. Gibberellic acid enhanced the barley-β-glucan endo-hydrolase activity within cultivars to varying degrees, slightly increased endo-β 1,3-glucanase activity and had no effect on endo-β 1,4-glucanase activities.