Leucaena leucocephala seeds were allotted to chemical and mechanical scarification and hot water treatment, to overcome the seed-coat dormancy and to evaluate seedling development, according to a complete randomized design. There was decrease in germination for the control (32.7%) and an increase when seeds were immersed in water with 80ºC during 5 and 15 minutes, and concentrate H2SO4 during 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The emergency rate index was better in the treatment with water 80ºC during 5 minutes and concentrate H2SO4 during 20 min. The used treatments to overcome the seed-coat dormancy did not affect the resultant seedling developments.
dormancy; germination; Leucaena leucocephala; seedling production; vigor
