Resumo. The dormancy is an intrinsic seed phenomenon, functioning as natural mechanism of resistance to adverse environmental factors. Germination will occur only when it is overcome and the environmental conditions are favorable for seedling growth. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of treatments to overcome dormancy in the structure of Apuleia leiocarpa seed testing by scanning electron microscopy. The pre-germination methods to overcome dormancy were: non-scarified seeds (control), immersion in sulfuric acid 75 and 98% for three and nine minutes and immersion in hot water at 80°C for 30 seconds. The seeds were submitted to analysis in microscopy and were evaluated by the germination test. The treatments were effective in breaking the exotesta seed of sugar cane juice, wherein the high acid induced increase in germination. The heated water caused the death of seeds.