The difference in the growth of maize seedlings originating from seeds injured by accelerated ageing, as well as those altered by restoring with low 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) concentrations was examined, from the point of view of free energy and redox potential. The ageing decreased germination ability, the seedling growth and free energy, with no remarkable influence on the redox capacity. Meanwhile, the 2,4-D treatment increased the germination percentage and the seedling growth, by better energy utilisation, with shifting of the redox balance to a reducing environment. From this point of view, the free energy and the redox potentialare useful tools for the determination of biological vitality.