Seed germination and dormancy are two complicated and closely related physiological processes involving a series of interactions between external environment conditions and internal factors, which are of great significance to high and stable yield and ecological evolution. These traits are typically controlled by multiple loci and largely influenced by environmental factors. In recent years, several QTL involving in seed germination and dormancy have been identified and their functional mechanisms have been investigated. In this paper, the effects of genetic regulation and external factors on seed germination and dormancy were reviewed, the existing problems were summarized, and the future development areas were prospected.