Resumo. During germination, a series of sequential events occur in seeds in response to endogenous and / or exogenous factors. The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological changes resulting from the controlled hydration in water and temperature in seeds of jacaranda-da-bahia ( Dalbergia nigra ). To this end, two lots of seeds separated as high and low vigor were used in the tests. Seeds belonging to the two lots, after desinfect, were hydrated in water, with the method of humid atmosphere (relative humidity 95-99%) to reach four hydration levels: 10, 15, 20 and 25% moisture content in seeds, in temperatures (exogenous factor) of 15 and 25 ° C. After hydration and temperature treatments, were analyzed the following variables: curve soaking, germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI) and electrical conductivity. The results showed no significant difference in seeds physiological response between the temperatures. On the other hand, for hydration was found that up to 15% moisture content increased the seeds physiological quality of both lots, which showed higher germination values , IVG and smaller amounts of leached compounds. From 15% moisture content were found a reduction in the quality of seeds classified as high vigor, while those of low vigor continued to show positive responses in 20 and 25% humidity. Given this, it is concluded that the technique of controlled hydration in water favors the germination of Dalbergia nigra seeds, independent of the vigor. Hydration moisture content of 15% is more appropriate to increase the seeds quality. The hydration in values below or above resulted in a decrease in the stimulus.