A reproducible release of viable protoplasts was obtained from friable calli of Astragalusudsurgens. Protoplasts underwent sustained divisions and formed cell colonies when cultured in either liquid or agarose-solidified Kao and Michayluk (1975) protoplast medium (KM8P) supplemented with 1.5 rag/1 2,4-D, 0.5 mg/I BA and 0.5 M glucose. Compared to liquid culture, agarose bead culture improved division frequency effectively, the two culture systems showing a plating efficiency of 0.8_+0.5% and 6.5_+0.7%. respectively. Upon transfer to Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) with 1-2 mg/I BA, alone or in combination with NAA or 2,4-D at 0.1 rag/l, the protoplast-derived ealli produced complete plantlets through somatic embryogenesis. The maximum percentage of calli producing somatic embryos (52.5