A B S T R A C TSome species of the Caatinga present seeds with dormancy, a mechanism that allows germination when the environmental conditions permit its establishment and survival; this feature is advantageous for the perpetuation and undesirable for producers that need a fast production of these plants. The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the application of pre-germination treatments in Angico (Anadenanthera colubrina) (Vell.) Brenan, Jurema-branca (Piptadenia stipulacea Benth.) Ducke and Mulungu (Erythrina velutina Willd.). Two independent experiments were carried out at the Serra Talhada Academic Unit using Angico, Jurema-branca and Mulungu seeds, arranged in a completely randomized design, with four replicates and 15 seeds. The seeds were submitted to pre-germination treatments: T1-control, T2-mechanical scarification on the opposite end of the thread with wood sandpaper, T3-mechanical scarification on the opposite end of the thread with wood sandpaper + immersion in water at room temperature for 24 hours and T4-heat treatment with Immersion in water at 80°C for 2 minutes. The parameters evaluated the efficiency: germination percentage and rate of emergence (IVE), biometric data (30 days after sowing), as seedling height, the number of leaves and stem diameter. The seeds of Jurema-branca (P. stipulacea) and Mulungu (E. velutina), submitted to the pre-germinative treatments T2 and T3, showed better germinative performance, reflected in the growth of the seedling. The Angico (A. colubrina) was not sensitive to the application of the treatments, and its germination was nullified for the T3 treatment application. In all cases, variations of the parameters were observed because of the atmospheric conditions.