Abstract: The microtubule cytoskeleton was investigated by using improved cryosectioning and indirect immunofluores cence staining in the shoot apex of sugarc ane (Saccharum officinarum‘YueTang 86/368’). We observed four basic types of microtubule arrays: cortical, preprophase-band, spindle and phragmoplast microtubule arrays. Other transitional microtubule arrays were observed, which constituted the typical microtubule cycle in the dividing cells of plants. Cortical microtubule arrays were mainly oriented transversely to the cell elongation axis in cells of elongating young leaves in the shoot apex of sugarcane. Longitudinal and oblique cortical microtubules to the axis are the main arrays in the slowly elongating young leaves, and other cortical microtubule arrays, such as transverse, longitudinal, oblique and random microtubules, were observed in the primary thickening meristem in the primordium of the shoot apex in sugarcane. Unexpected were some double bands of preprophase-band microtubules in a small population of cells; their functions are still unknown. The results suggest that sugarcane microtubule arrays have the same periodic change patterns as those of many dicotyls and some monocotyls during cell division. The relation between the change pattern of microtubule arrays and development or morphogenesis in the shoot apex of sugarcane is discussed.