Objective A high-quality seedling substrate is essential for seedling quality and crop yield. Coconut coir is widely used in seedling substrate production due to its excellent physical properties. However, coconut coir alone often lacks sufficient nutrients to meet the growth requirements of crop seedlings, necessitating the supplementation of external nutrient sources. Vermicompost is rich in nutrients and possesses a well-developed capillary structures, along with good aeration and water retention properties. This study aimed to enhance the application of coconut coir in seedling substrates by investigating the effects of a mixed substrate of vermicompost and coir on cucumber seedling growth. Methods Vermicompost and coconut coir were mixed at different volume ratios to prepare seedling substrates. Six treatments were designed: 100% coir (CK), 20% vermicompost +80% coir (T1), 40% vermicompost +60% coir (T2), 60% vermicompost +40% coir (T3), 80% vermicompost +20% coir (T4), and 100% vermicompost (T5). The effects of each treatment on seed germination and seedling growth were analyzed, and the physicochemical properties of the substrates were evaluated to determine the optimal ratio of vermicompost and coconut coir. Results As the volume of vermicompost increased, the root length and germination index of seeds in T1~T5 treatments were significantly lower than those in CK. Among the vermicompost-added treatments, T3 showed the highest root length and germination index, while T1 showed the lowest. The bulk density of the substrate increased significantly with the proportion of vermicompost ratios,with T5 showing a 4.5-fold increase compared to CK. Meanwhile, the total porosity and aeration porosity of T1~T5 decreased significantly relative to CK, while the water-holding porosity increased with higher vermicompost ratios. The addition of vermicompost significantly increased the content of available nutrients in the substrate. The available phosphorus and potassium levels in T5 were significantly higher than in CK, while the organic matter content decreased with increasing vermicompost proportions. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake of cucumber seedlings increased with the proportion of vermicompost, with T5 showing the highest nutrient uptake. When the vermicompost volume ratio reached 60% or higher, seedling stem diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and above-ground fresh weight of cucumber seedlings remained at relatively high levels. Conclusion The application of vermicompost as a nutrient supplement in coconut coir substrates significantly improved seedling performance. A vermicompost volume ratio of 40%~80% achieved favorable, growth effects for cucumber seedlings, with the T4 treatment(80% vermicompost)demonstrating the best overall promotion effects.
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