Seeds in two ripenig stages, that is, seeds with yellow or brown colors of Peruvian carrot (Arracacia xanthorrithiza Banc.) from the planting of entire plants previously exposed to temperature of 15 to 20°C in the field were harvested in three dates: 11/21; 11/28 and 12/29/1983. ln a second assay the seeds were harvested in six dates and only in the brown ripening stage. The seeds were germinated in sterilized sand, in gerboxes, moistened with distilled water and kept in a germinator at 20°C. On the first assay there no differences the first assay there were no differences with respect to the ripening
stage and the germination showing on an average, 73,66% and 17,66% of germination, for yellow and brown seeds, respectively. The seeds harvested in 11/21, 11/28 and 12/29/1983 did not differ as to the germination percentage. However, on the second assay, a decrease on the germination percentage ocurred, as a consequence of the delay of harvest. From the first to the last harvest, there was a decrease of 100% in the germination.