The inter-relationship between exogenous calcium (Ca2+) during cold pretreatment and cold-enhanced somatic embryogenesis was investigated using cell suspension cultures of Astragalus adsurgens Pall. Cell suspension was obtained from embryogenic callus and could be induced to form somatic embryos in the differentiation medium. Suspension cells, after cold-treatment at 8℃ for 2 to 3 wk, displayed an enhanced capacity for somatic embryogenesis as compared to those without cold pretreatment. Longer cold pretreatment (>4wk) resulted in the inhibition of somatic embryogenesis. The enhanced embryogenic response of cells to cold pretreatment was dependent on the Ca2+ level in the pretreatment medium. Ca2+ levels below 1 mM suppressed the cold-enhanced response. Addition of lanthanum into the pretreatment medium completely abolished the cold induced enhancement of somatic embryogenesis. These results suggest that embryogenic cells require a minimal concentration of Ca2+ during pretreatment for the expression of this cold-enhanced capacity for somatic embryogenesis in A.adsurgens and the influx of exogenous Ca2+ during pretreatment might also be involved.