The objective of the present research was to study biochemical and physiological changes caused by pea seed pre-hydration with emphasis on electrolyte leakage. Seed lots of the cvs. Axé and Maria
were characterized for their water content, germination, first germination counting, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence in the field. The seeds of each lot were pre-hydrated using two methods: saturated atmosphere and humidified substratum, until they reached 10, 12 and 14% water
content. Afterwards, the seeds were evaluated regarding calcium, potassium and magnesium leakage and electrical conductivity. The two pre-hydration methods caused changes in the electrolyte leakage pattern. Hence, both affect in different ways the seed cellular membrane restructuring system. Also, discrepancies occurred among the results from the electrical conductivity test, in which the physiological potential of the seeds was evaluated, depending on which pre-hydration process was adopted.