The germination of Tecoma stans was tested under 4 concentrations of polyethyleneglycol (PEG), during one month. Germination was strongly inhibited at -1.0 MPa (8.6%) and was totally arrested at -1.5 MPa. At - 0.5 MPa, -0.1 MPa and control treatments, germination was 72, 88 and 88.6%, respectively. The germination index also showed a reduction as the osmotic potential of the solution decreased. An absence of damage was observed after a month of permanent soaking in PEG solutions of - 1.0 and -1.5 MPa. This osmotic pretreatment improved and accelerated the initiation of germination.
