The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of seed size and shape on physiological performance and respiration, as well as to establish the relationship between physiological quality and respiratory activity of maize seeds. For studying the influence of size and shape of the different seed fractions, the following analyzes were performed: weight of one thousand seeds, germination, first germination counting, germination speed index, total seedlings dry mass, electric conductivity, cold test without soil, seeds respiratory activity, seedling emergence and emergency speed index.The data were submitted to analysis of variance, the variables were compared by the Tukey test. Pearson's correlation test was performed between seed shapes and sizes, and the attributes of physiological quality. The small flat seeds from genotype "A" present higher physiological quality than large flat, large round and small round seeds. Whereas, for genotype "B", seeds with the highest physiological quality are the flat shapes, regardless their size. Respiratory activity in both genotypes was not sensitive for detecting differences of vigor between different sizes and shapes. There is significant correlation between large flat seeds, as well as between small flats and large rounds and small seeds with germination speed index. Similarly, there is correlation between the different shapes and sizes with electrical conductivity.