Seed dormancy and germination responses to light and gases were determined for Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. E. colons seeds did not require a period of after-ripening for breaking dormancy. Water movement occurred readily across the seed coat. Repeated cycles of hydration and dehydration reduced viability and thence germination. Water imbibition for 24 h increased seed moisture by 21%; seeds returned to their original weight after drying at room temperature for 13 h. Removal of seed-coats increased germination in the dark. Light stimulated germination. Germination at a daylight intensity of 51.9 $Wm^{-2}$ or less was significantly reduced. Germination of seeds which were exposed to light for 1 h each day was significantly less than that of seeds exposed for longer than 2 h a day. Seeds subjected to blue light had delayed and decreased germination compared to seeds exposed to red light. Ethylene or carbon dioxide exogenenously added in the presence of light stimulated germination. The addition of the two gases together had a synergistic effect. In the dark, however, the two gases did not increase germination.