In order to investigate the effect of ABA on secondary embryogenesis from somatic embryos in Aralia cordata Thunb., embryogenic callus and somatic embryos were induced from inflorescence on solid MS basal medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 2, 4-D after eight weeks without subculture. For mass production fo somatic embryos, embryosgenic cell clumps were maintained in liquid MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 2, 4-D, and then transferred to 2, 4-D free medium. When developing embryos at various stages were cultrued separately in liquid medium with ABA (0 to 2.0 mg/L) for three weeks, and then cultured in ABA-free liquid medium for two weeks, torpedo-shaped embryos exhibited secondary embryogenesis of 65.9% in only 0.2 mg/L ABA pretreatment. Cotyledonary embryos in cultures by 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L ABA pretreatment also exhibited secondary embryogenesis 973%, 9.4% and 6.0%, respectively). however, globular and heart-shaped somatic embryos treated with ABA did not form secondary embryos on theirhypocotyl surfaces. When cotyledonary embryos were cultured in ABA-free medium or 0.2mg/L ABA treated medium for three weeks, and then in ABA-free liquid medium for 6 weeks, the germination frequency was lowr in medium with 0.2 mg/L ABA (45.9%) than in hormone-free medium (56.8%). This result seems to be related to the high frequency of secondary embryogenesis. It is suggested that secondary embryogenesis by ABA application depends upon the stage of embryo cultured and the ABA concentration.