The presence of salicylic acid in vegetables suggests it to qualify as a phytohormone. This work was developed with the purpose of analyzing and describing the effects of different concentrations of salicylic acid on the germination and vigour of soybean seeds. Seeds of the cultivar BR-4 were treated with salicylic acid in the doses of zero, 20, 50 and 100mg/kg for 24 hours. Viability was determined by the germination test and vigour by means of total activity of the enzymes acid phosphatase and α-amilase on seedling emergency in laboratory, seedling length (aerial part and roots) and weight of green and dry matter of seedlings (aerial part and roots). Salicylic acid had a negative effect on the germination, but stimulated the activity of the enzyme α-amylase, length of seedlings (aerial and roots) and the weight of green and dry matter of the seedlings (aerial and roots) at the doses 50 and 100mg/kg.