This work was carried out at the Seed Analysis Laboratory at the Plant Production Department of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu-SP, aiming to evaluate the effects caused by flooding shortage and temperature on maize seed germination and physiological quality. Seeds were subjected to flooding for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days, at 27oC and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30oC, for three days. After that, germination and vigor (first counting and electrolytic leakage) were evaluated. Seedlings dry matter and growth were evaluated only for the flooding duration treatments. Results showed that seed germination and vigor decreased after subjected to oxygen shortage. The germination and first counting percentages decreased 40% at the third day and there was no germination at the seventh day of flooding. The number of dead seeds and abnormal seedlings was accentuated with the longer periods of submersion. Dry weight and growth of seedlings from seeds that suffered two and three days of flooding was higher than the others, indicating that those survived due to their larger vigor. The flooding temperatures below 20oC and above 25oC drastically reduced seeds germination and vigor and increased the number of dead seeds.