Seed dormancy refers to a state where viable seeds fail to germinate despite suitable environmental conditions. There are two main types of dormancy - innate (primary) dormancy induced during seed development, and secondary dormancy induced after seed dispersal by unfavorable conditions. Primary dormancy can be further classified as exogenous, due to hard seed coats or chemical inhibitors, or endogenous, due to immature or physiologically dormant embryos. Secondary dormancy develops in response to stresses like temperature, light quality, or osmotic stress. Seed dormancy allows for germination under optimal conditions for seedling survival.