中文摘要：

种子萌发是植物成功实现天然更新的关键环节,需要适宜的温度、水分或光照条件。对于需光性种子,光照是决定其萌发与否或萌发率高低的主要因素。光对植物种子萌发的影响不仅是一个复杂的生理过程,也是受到调控的信号传递和基因表达过程。该文系统总结了影响种子萌发的光照属性、光与水/热耦合作用和种子的光属性（光敏色素）与种子萌发的关系,明确了光调控种子萌发的生态意义;重点综述了种子内光敏色素调控种子萌发的生理反应模式和光敏色素的光信号转导途径。试图为全面评估光对种子萌发的影响和将来开展更深入的研究提供参考。

英文摘要：

Seed germination is a key process in the natural regeneration of plant populations and is mainly controlled by fa- vorable temperature, water or light conditions. Light plays a critical role in determining the ability and rate of germination of photoblastic seeds. Furthermore, the regulation of seed germination by light involves not only complicated physiological processes but also rigorous signal transductions and gene expression pathways. We summarized available data on the relationships between seed germination and other factors （i.e., light attributes, coupling of light and water/heat and phytochromes in seeds）. To assess the effects of light on seed germination, we also comprehensively summarized the physiological reaction and light signal transduction mechanisms regu- lated by phytochromes in seed germination.