With the objective of investigating the effect of artificial drying after physiological maturity upon α-amylase activity, germination and vigor, corn (Zea mays L.) seeds triple hybrid BR-3060 were harvested with a water content of 42.2% of moisture (bu) and submitted to 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48 and 56 hours of drying at 35ºC in a small scale drier, obtaining seeds with water contents of 42.2; 40.4; 38.0; 33.6; 25.9; 21.4; 17.7; 15.9 and 12.2%, respectively. Evaluations of germination, vigor (first count, cold test and electric condutivity), determination and quantification of α-amylase enzyme activity were accomplished after each drying time. There was significance at the level of 1% of the effect of drying on all the parameters evaluated. The seeds harvested with high water content close to physiological maturity did not germinate satisfactorily until they reached the water content close to 21.4%. The best germination and vigor performance was reached with 40 hours? drying when the seeds reached a water content of 17.7% and α-amylase activity was maximal. The high correlations between the enzyme activity and the results of germination and vigor confirm the beneficial effects of drying after physiological maturity, indicating that reduced water content in corn seeds stimulates α-amylase synthesis allowing the onset of the germinative process, after rehydration.