A reproducible release of viable protoplasts was obtained from friable calli of Astragalus adsurgens. 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 1.5mg/l 2,4-D, 0.5mg/l BA and 0.5 Mglucose. Compared to liquid culture, agarose bead culture improved division frequency effectively, the two culture systems showing a plating efficiency of 0.8