Abstract: To systematically review the research status of vermicompost in the field of seedling substrate and evaluate its feasibility as a substitute for peat, a comprehensive review was conducted from the aspects of physicochemical properties, microbial characteristics, compounding systems, crop responses, and action mechanisms. The study showed that vermicompost had suitable bulk density, excellent pore structure, and was rich in organic matter, mineral nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms. Appropriate incorporation could improve substrate aeration and water retention, and promote seed germination and root development. Its growth-promoting mechanism was mainly attributed to the increase in soil microbial diversity, enhancement of enzyme activities, and improvement of the balance of growth regulators. At the level of action mechanisms, vermicompost not only optimized the rhizosphere physicochemical environment but also enhanced crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses by regulating the rhizosphere microecology, inducing systemic resistance, and activating the antioxidant defense system. However, problems such as large differences in raw material sources, lack of quality standards, risk of salt accumulation, and pathogen contamination still restricted its industrial application. Future research should focus on the standardization of raw material grading, quality and safety control, and the construction of crop-specific formulation optimization models, and deeply analyze the multi-scale interaction mechanism of “vermicompost-rhizosphere-crop”, so as to construct a green and circular seedling substrate system and promote agricultural carbon emission reduction and resource recycling.

Key words: vermicompost, substrate, material characteristics, mechanism, application prospect, formulation optimization, research progress