The objective of this article was to verify the physiological effects of desiccation of Euterpe oleracea Mart. seeds. Açai palm seeds from twenty five progenies from the germoplasm collection of Embrapa Amazônia Oriental (Belém, State of Pará, Brazil) were used. Before the desiccation, it was determined the moisture content of the lot and it was removed the treatment with the highest moisture content (45%). The other seeds of the lot were submitted to drying in a chamber with air circulation at 30±2ºC aiming to reach the treatments at 39%, 33%, 27%, 22% and 15% of water. The effects of dehydration were evaluated by means of the following determinations: moisture content, germination test, speed and emergency of seedlings. It was concluded that the desiccation to 39% moisture content does not affect the physiology of Euterpe oleracea seeds, but the drying around 33% of water reduce the vigour and germination rates. The seeds did not germinate when the moisture content was 15%.
palmae; fruit; heart of palm; drying
