Abstract: Seagrass bed is the main primary producer in coastal areas, having highly ecological and economical values, and being one of the most important shallow-marine ecosystems. This paper reviewed the research progress in the seed dormancy, germination, and seedling growth of seagrass and related affecting factors, summarized the seed dormancy modes and durations and their affecting factors, and discussed the effects of water salinity, temperature, transparency, hormone, dissolved oxygen, and population structure on the seed germination and the seedling survival and growth. Some issues in related researches and several research directions in the future were prospected.

Key words: seagrass, seed, dormancy, germination, seedling