The presence of salicylic acid in the vegetables has been confirmed in some researchs, through the use of modern analytic techniques. It?s relationship with the thermogenicity suggests that this compound belongs to the phytohormones group. Up to this moment, studies were not accomplished in the sense of knowing which function of the salicylic acid in relation to the seeds quality. Thus, the purpose of this research was evaluate the effect of salicylic acid dosis on the seeds germination and vigor. Rice seeds were treated with different salicylic acid concentrations (zero; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0; 10 and 20µM) for 24 hours and submitted to the germination test, first germination count, electric conductivity, index of emergency rate on laboratory conditions, the emergency percentage, length of the shoot and roots of the seedlings, fresh and dry weight of the aerial part and roots of the seedlings were obtained on greenhouse conditions. Salicylic acid had a negative effect on germination and first germination count, meanly in the higher concentrations of 10 and 20µM; the behaviour of the physiological seed quality as concerne the rate of arrangement of the cells membranes was improved in lower concentration 0.1 and 1.0µM, impeding the lixiviation of solutes from seeds; the salicylic acid applied on lower concentrations (0.1 and 1.0µM)
did not affected the emergency rate index, seedlings emergency percentage and seedlings growth but these characteristics or index were influenced by higher concentrations of 10 and 20µM.