In this paper photoautotrophic carrot (Daucus carota L.) suspension cu
ltures are described which are able to produce somatic embryos. The de
velopment of somatic embryos, however, requires a sucrose supplement.
Although an elevation of the CO2 concentration up to 2.3% results in t
he same level of dry weight production as with sucrose in the medium,
somatic embryos could not be observed. Results on the influence of suc
rose on some aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus of cultured cells
are discussed.