The aim of this work was to evaluate the seedling emergence of A. cearensis as a function of the imbibition (zero and 24 hours) and salinity (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 dS m-¹). The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse and Plant Health Laboratory of the Federal Institute of Ceará campus Sobral, from 12/2014 to 01/2015. The variables were percentage (%E), speed index (ESI), emergence mean time (EMT), number of leaves (NL), stem diameter (SD), root length (RL), dry weight of shoots (DWS) and dry weight of roots (DWR). The seedling emergence of A. cearensis is negatively affected by salinity from 4.5 dS m-1.