The objective of this investigation was to examine seed and seedling characteristics that may be related to early vigor in triticale, identify if there are genotype differences and compare early vigor between triticale, heat, rye and barley seeds. Seventeen genotypes of triticale, one wheat, une rye and one barley, produced, harvested and stored under similar conditions in Passo Fundo, RS-Brasil, in 1995 were used. The radicle and coleoptile length were evaluated in laboratory at 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours after sowing, germination and dry matter weight also were evaluated. Substantial variation in the length of coleoptile and radicle growth among the different triticale genotypes was observed. The selection for the appearance of the coleoptile and radicle can be simple and useful in the genotvpes selection with high initial vigor in triticale. The barley, BR2, and rye, BR1, genotypes presented a greater early vigor than wheat, EMBRAPA 16, and triticale genotypes.