Certain embodiments provide a method of altering the number of archesporial cells in a developing anther of a plant in certain embodiments, the method comprises exposing the anther to redox-modulatory conditions prior to differentiation of germline cells in the anther, thereby changing the redox potential of cells in the anther and altering the number of archesporial cells in the anther. This method may be employed to increase or decrease the number of archesporial cells in a developing anther, and may be employed to produce male sterile plants.
