This study was carried out at the Seed Research Laboratory of the Phytotechny Department in the Universidade Federal de Viçosa - MG. Its objective was to evaluate the effects from temperature, time period and osmotic potential factors and their interactions on imbibition and germination. The cultivate ?Carandaí? was used. The entirely randomized experimental design was used in a factorial scheme (4 x 3 x 3) + 1 with four replicates, corresponding to osmotic potentials of -0.5; -1.0; -1.5 and -2.0MPa, time periods of 7, 14 and 21 days, and conditioning temperatures of 10, 15 and 20oC respectively, and one control which was not submitted to any treatment. The conditioning at -0.5MPa promoted the radicle protrusion in carrot seeds, submitted CO starting from the period of four days to the temperatures of 10, 15 and 20oC. Conditioning at temperatures ranging from 15 to 20oC, over a 14 to 21 days period and under an osmotic potential of -2.0MPa showed to be efficient in improving germination. The combination of seed conditioning under osmotic potential of -0.5MPa, at 20oC temperature and a 21 day period was harmful to seed germinative performance. The temperature, time period and osmotic potential factors presented an interactive effect.