This study was carried out to verify the pre-drying effect on seed carrot, Daucus carota
L. (cv. Brasília), performance during thermotherapy, considering health and physiological effects. Two
seed lots with two moisture levels were heated at 70°C for periods of: zero, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days. The
following tests were used for evaluate the seed quality parameters: seed health test (blotter-test),
germination test and vigour tests (cold test and accelerated aging test). The results showed that: a) predryied
carrot seeds show better performance during thermotherapy; b) high physiological quality
carrot seeds can be treated by dry heat treatment (70°C/15 days) without immediate reduction on
germination and vigour, and; c) dry heat treatment (70°C/15 days) eliminate seed-borne fungi on carrot
seeds.