This work study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different flooding periods
during germination and in the bean seeds vigor at UNOESTE Seed Analysis Laboratory. Seeds
were submitted to flooding periods of 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48h at 25ºC. Moisture content was
taken before and after flooding periods. The germination test and physiological parameters, such
as hypocotyl and root length and their dry weights, were obtained after periods of flooding. Results
showed that germination and vigor decreased subsequently to flooding, germination decreased 55
percentage points after 8h of seed submersion. There were differentiation differences between
among seed lots in germination tests after flooding periods equal to, or higher than 8h. Dead seed
number and inhibition in hypocotyl and root development, shown in this work study, increased
with the submersion time. In conclusion, eight hours of flooding cause irreversible damage to
bean culture establishment, and the same periods of submersion, in the laboratory, could be a very
good indicative to differentiate seed physiological quality.