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Two experiments were carried out in order to verify the effect of the herbicide metsulfuron-methyl on the initial growth of maize hybrids (AS 1560, DAS 2B710, AG 9010 and P 30F98). First, the hybrids were submitted to a germination test modified by addition of the herbicide in the soaking solution, using the doses 0 (control), 1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 g ha-1. After conditioning, normal and abnormal seedlings (%), dead seeds (%) and seedling length were evaluated. In the second experiment, hybrids were sown in pots after herbicide application at doses 0 (control), 3.6 and 7.2 g ha-1. The seeding was done at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days after application (DAA) of herbicide. Shoot and root dry mass were evaluated 20 days after sowing (DAS). The phytotoxicity of the herbicide metsulfuron-methyl was evidenced in the early development of plants, particularly when sowing was closer to herbicide application. The permanence of the herbicide in the soil may influence seed vigour what can be confused with low physiological quality of the lot. Although presenting different responses, all hybrids s were sensitive to metsulfuronmethyl at the analyzed periods.