The role of ethylene in embryogenesis of cultured potato anthers was studied indirectly by testing various substances known to affect ethylene formation. The reducing agents ascorbic acid and L-cysteine prevented browning of anther cultures and significantly stimulated embryogenesis. Embryogenesis was also promoted by the use of the ethylene inhibitors AgNO3 and n-propyl-gallate and by the polyamines spermidine and putrescine. The use of the ethylene releasing compound ethrel significantly inhibited embryogenesis.

The effect of media manipulations, temperature pretreatment, carbohydrate source, and seasonal variation on tetraploid potato anther cultures was investigated. The anther culture responses of three commercial Nordic potato varieties from Scandinavia and two from Germany were compared on different media manipulations. With most of the varieties, solid MS media gave better yields than other published media manipulations. Pretreatments at +6 °C and at +30 °C were studied on Pito and Danva varieties. The +6°C pretreatment and no pretreatment had the same effect on the anther culture response of cv. Pito, while with cv. Danva pretreatment at +6 °C promoted embryogenesis. The +30 °C pretreatment had no positive effect on anther culture response on either cultivar. The effect of maltose, melibiose and mannitol individually and in combination with sucrose were compared to normal sucrose medium in cv. Pito anther cultures. Anthers incubated on normal sucrose medium gave the highest embryoid and plant yields; the second highest plant yields were obtained on pure maltose medium. Strong seasonal variation was observed throughout the year in cv. Pito anther cultures. The percentage of anthers producing embryoids ranged from 15-20% during September and October to just 1-3% from February through May. The annual average embryoid production rate was 6.18%.

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