Plant-Soil Interactions, 2nd Volume

Fruit cracking in citrus is one of the most researched constraints in crop management. However, researchers are still clueless even today on how to curtail this important production loss through an integrated management system. Our study introduces a management strategy for fruit cracking in citrus by analyzing different production constraints. As many as 70 Bingtang orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck cv. Bingtang) orchards in Xinping County were investigated to determine the intensity and periodicity of fruit cracking. The results indicated that citrus cracking was in a high incidence state during production in the past two years, accounting for 48.2–50.6% of fruit drop following the physiological premature drop period, particularly exacerbating in the year with irregular rainfall (from June to September). Among factors such as soil texture, soil fertility, and orchard management, the soil sand proportion, soil calcium, soil potassium, and soil magnesium content were the main factors contributing to the occurrence of fruit cracking, with contributions of 18.57%, 17.14%, 10.00%, and 8.75%, respectively. Fruit cracking was significantly positively correlated with soil magnesium content (0.802) and significantly negatively correlated with soil calcium (0.8007), potassium (0.7616), and soil sand proportion (0.7826). The integrated management treatment (organic fertilizer to improve soil + foliar nutrient supplementation) showed better control on fruit cracking by 9.34–65.25% and an increase in yield by 4.13–37.49%, respectively, compared to the supplementation of a single element in all orchards with different production and quality traits. Our findings could thus help citrus growers optimize cultivation techniques for quality citrus production under increasingly changing climatic conditions. Full article

Topography has an important influence on plant–soil relationships. However, research on plant–soil relationships in alpine grassland at the slope aspect and slope position scales is currently inadequate. In this paper, based on the topographic and geomorphological characteristics of the study area, alpine grassland with typical slope aspect and slope position conditions was selected as the research object. Through field investigations and laboratory research to reveal how the characteristics of the alpine grassland plant community and soil factors respond to changes in topography. The results show: Slope aspect and slope position changes significantly affect alpine grassland plant communities and soil properties. In terms of the dominant species in plant communities, the sunny slopes were dominated by Poaceae and the shady slopes were dominated by Polygonaceae. Plant community characterization variables showed a decreasing trend from shady to sunny slopes and bottom to top. The soil factors showed significant differences among the six types of topography (p < 0.05), and the magnitude order in different slope aspects and positions was basically shady slope > sunny slope and bottom > middle and top. Correlation analysis showed that there were good correlations between soil organic carbon (SOC), soil water content (SWC), total nitrogen (TN), pH, and plant community characteristics in alpine grassland. In addition, redundancy analyses (RDA) indicated that the divergence in plant community characteristics was primarily driven by the change difference in SOC along topographic gradients. Our findings may provide a scientific basis for the restoration and utilization of alpine grassland vegetation and the evaluation of the ecological environment in this region. Full article

This study focuses on the renewal and iteration mechanisms of aged tea trees in interactions with their soil microbial communities, aiming to elucidate the impact of the planting age of tea trees on the structure and function of soil microbial communities and how these impacts are linked to the formation of tea quality. By conducting a comparative analysis of the cultivation soil from tea trees with varying planting ages ranging from 30 to 200 years, we employed microbial diversity sequencing, a soil physicochemical property analysis, and tea leaf chemical component detection. We combined these methods with redundancy analysis (RDA) and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) to reveal significant correlations between the planting age of tea trees and the soil’s microbial diversity and function. The results indicate that as the planting age of tea trees increases, there are significant changes in the soil’s pH and nutrient content. Concurrently, the components of the tea leaves also change. Most notably, around the 120 years mark of the tea tree planting age, the diversity of the soil microbial community reaches a turning point. Key microbial community analyses revealed shifts in the dominant microbial populations within the soil across the various tea tree planting ages, exemplified by taxa such as Hygrocybe Mycena, Humicola, Bradyrhizobium, and Candidatus Solibacter. These alterations in microbial communities are closely associated with soil nutrient dynamics and the developmental stages of tea trees. These findings not only provide scientific guidance for tea garden management, tea tree cultivation, and tea production but also offer new insights into the impact of tea tree–soil–microbe interactions on tea quality, which is significantly important for enhancing tea quality. Full article

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophilic plant species belonging to Chenopodiaceae, whose shoots are used as a vegetable. Since the shoots can be eaten raw, the objective of the present study was to investigate possible controls on the abundance of human pathogenic microorganisms (HPMOs) in the shoots as a health risk. For this reason, the molecular-chemical composition of shoots, site-specific soil organic matter (bulk and rhizosphere), and soil pH and salinity were analyzed. Plant and soil samples were taken from two test sites with differing salinity levels in France (a young and an old marsh). We hypothesized that the chemical traits of plants and soils could suppress or promote HPMOs and, thus, serve as risk indicators for food quality. The chemical traits of shoots and bulk and rhizosphere soil were measured through thermochemolysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The densities of cultivable HPMOs (Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) were determined in plant shoots, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil using selective media. Negative correlations between lignin content in the shoots and the abundance of S. enterica, as well as between lignin content in bulk soil and the abundance of E. coli, are explained by the lignin-based rigidity and its protective effect on the cell wall. In the shoot samples, the content of lipids was positively correlated with the abundance of E. coli. The abundance of E. coli, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes in bulk soil decreased with increasing soil pH, which is linked to increased salinity. Therefore, soil salinity is proposed as a tool to decrease HPMO contamination in S. europaea and ensure its food safety. Full article

Most research on plant–microbe interactions emphasize the effects of micronutrients on the rhizosphere microbial community structure. However, the influence of seed structures, particularly the radicle sheath, on microbial diversity at the seedling root tips under varying temperatures and humidity has been less explored. This study conducted controlled indoor experiments in the northern desert of Xinjiang to assess the radicle sheath’s impact on microbial community composition, diversity, and function. The results indicated no significant changes in the Chao1 index for bacteria and fungi, but notable differences were observed in the Shannon and Simpson indices (p < 0.05). Under drought conditions, the radicle sheath significantly reduced bacterial infections without affecting fungi. Genus-level analysis showed an increased abundance of specific dominant bacterial groups when the radicle sheath was retained. NMDS analysis confirmed its significant effect on both bacterial and fungal community structures. LEfSe analysis identified 34 bacterial and 15 fungal biomarkers, highlighting the treatment’s impacts on microbial taxonomic composition. Functional predictions using PICRUSt 2 revealed that the radicle sheath facilitated the conversion of CH₄ to CH₃OH and various nitrogen cycle processes under drought. Overall, the radicle sheath plays a crucial role in maintaining rhizosphere microbial community stability and enhancing the functions of both bacteria and fungi under drought conditions. Full article

This study investigated the response of a bacterial community’s structure and function in the rhizosphere soil of C₃ and C₄ plants under bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE) exposure. The bacterial community composition was determined using 16S rRNA sequencing, while FAPROTAX and PICRUSt 2 were employed for functional predictions. Results showed significant differences between C₃ and C₄ plants in terms of bacterial community structure. C₃ plants exhibited higher abundances of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes at the phylum level and Sphingomicrobium at the genus level, compared to C₄ plants. Conversely, C₄ plants had higher abundances of Actinobacteria and Patescibacteria at the phylum level and Nocardioides at the genus level. LEfSe and function prediction analyses revealed that the rhizosphere soil bacteria in C₃ plants exhibited significantly higher enrichment in nitrogen fixation functions (p < 0.05), whereas C₄ plants showed a significantly higher relative abundance of bacteria and functions related to organic pollutant degradation (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the rhizosphere soil bacteria of C₃ plants exhibit a stronger response to BTBPE exposure in nitrogen metabolism-related processes, while C₄ plants possess superior biodegradation ability compared to C₃ plants. Full article

In order to explore the changes and interrelationships of grassland plant community species diversity and soil physicochemical properties with elevation gradient, this study takes the grassland in the Burzin forest area of Xinjiang as the research object and analyzes the responses of grassland species diversity, aboveground biomass, and soil physicochemical properties to the changes of elevation gradient within the altitude range of 1000~2200 m in this area. The results of the study show that: (1) The number of species and aboveground biomass reached the highest levels at elevation gradient III and showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing with elevation. The Margalef and Shannon–Wiener indices were the largest at elevation III, while the Simpson and Alatalo indices were the largest at elevation I. (2) With the change of elevation, the available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), soil electric conductivity (SEC), and soil pH showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing, while soil temperature decreased with elevation. Available potassium and soil water content reached their maximum values at elevation I and elevation IV, respectively. (3) The soil conductivity and diversity index were negatively correlated in elevation gradients I to III. In elevation gradient I~III, soil conductivity was positively correlated with the diversity index and aboveground biomass. Available nitrogen had a significant effect on plant diversity and biomass in elevation gradients IV to VI. (4) Aboveground biomass was significantly positively correlated with the Simpson’s index, while the relationship with the Shannon–Wiener index was less significant, and Margalef’s and Alatalo’s indices were not significant. Soil conductivity and pH significantly affected the Margalef and Simpson indices. Available nitrogen was closely related to the aboveground biomass and Margalef and Alatalo indices. Soil moisture content significantly affected Simpson’s index and the aboveground biomass. This study provides a solid theoretical foundation for the conservation and management of grassland plant community ecosystems along the elevation gradient, and has important reference value for study of the impact of environmental change on species diversity and biodiversity conservation. Full article

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a diazotrophic endophytic bacterium that promotes the growth and development of several plant species. However, the molecular mechanisms activated during plant response to this bacterium remain unclear. Here, we used the RNA-seq approach to understand better the effect of G. diazotrophicus PAL5 on the transcriptome of shoot and root tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana. G. diazotrophicus colonized A. thaliana roots and promoted growth, increasing leaf area and biomass. The transcriptomic analysis revealed several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between inoculated and non-inoculated plants in the shoot and root tissues. A higher number of DEGs were up-regulated in roots compared to shoots. Genes up-regulated in both shoot and root tissues were associated with nitrogen metabolism, production of glucosinolates and flavonoids, receptor kinases, and transcription factors. In contrast, the main groups of down-regulated genes were associated with pathogenesis-related proteins and heat-shock proteins in both shoot and root tissues. Genes encoding enzymes involved in cell wall biogenesis and modification were down-regulated in shoots and up-regulated in roots. In contrast, genes associated with ROS detoxification were up-regulated in shoots and down-regulated in roots. These results highlight the fine-tuning of the transcriptional regulation of A. thaliana in response to colonization by G. diazotrophicus PAL5. Full article

Climate and land use changes are causing trees line to shift up into mountain meadows. The effect of this vegetation change on the partitioning of soil carbon (C) between the labile particulate organic matter (POM–C) and stable mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM–C) pools is poorly understood. Therefore, we assessed these C pools in a 10 cm topsoil layer along forest–meadow ecotones with different land uses (reserve and pasture) in the Northwest Caucasus of Russia using the size fractionation technique (POM 0.053–2.00 mm, MAOM < 0.053 mm). Potential drivers included the amount of C input from aboveground grass biomass (AGB) and forest litter (litter quantity) and their C/N ratios, aromatic compound content (litter quality), and soil texture. For both land uses, the POM–C pool showed no clear patterns of change along forest–meadow ecotones, while the MAOM–C pool increased steadily from meadow to forest. Regardless of land use, the POM–C/MAOM–C ratio decreased threefold from meadow to forest in line with decreasing grass AGB (R² = 0.75 and 0.29 for reserve and pasture) and increasing clay content (R² = 0.63 and 0.36 for reserve and pasture). In pastures, an additional negative relationship was found with respect to plant litter aromaticity (R² = 0.48). Therefore, shifting the mountain tree line in temperate climates could have a positive effect on conserving soil C stocks by increasing the proportion of stable C pools. Full article

In alpine meadows, plants and soil microbes typically engage in competition for nitrogen (N) under N-deficient conditions. However, the acquisition and distribution of N among soil microbes and plants under alpine meadow degradation and climate warming induced by global climate change are still uncharacterized. In this study, we isotope labeled inorganic (NH₄⁺-¹⁵N, NO₃⁻-¹⁵N) and organic (glycine-¹⁵N) N in both degraded and non-degraded plots by using open-top chambers (OTC) to mimic increasing air temperatures. After 6 h, the ¹⁵N contents in soil microbes and plants were measured to investigate the effects of degradation and rising air temperature on N allocations in the ecosystems studied. Results showed that alpine meadow degradation significantly reduced soil microbial N accumulation by 52% compared to those in non-degraded plots. In non-degraded plots, warming significantly lowered the organic N levels of soil microbes by 49%, whereas in degraded ones, it reduced both NH₄⁺-¹⁵N and NO₃⁻-¹⁵N recovery by 80% and 45% on average but increased glycine-¹⁵N recovery by 653%. Meanwhile, warming decreased the plant recovery of NH₄⁺-¹⁵N and NO₃⁻-¹⁵N by 75% and 45% but increased the recovery of glycine-¹⁵N by 45% in non-degraded plots. Conversely, in degraded plots, warming markedly lowered NH₄⁺-¹⁵N recovery by 40% but increased glycine-¹⁵N recovery by 114%. Warming mitigates the effects of alpine meadow degradation on nitrogen allocation among soil microbes and plants. In unwarmed plots, degradation significantly elevated the total ¹⁵N recovery ratio of soil microbes to plants by 60%. However, in warmed plots, the impact of degradation on this ratio was reduced. The responses of the ¹⁵N recovery ratio of soil microbes and plants to rising temperatures were closely related to alpine meadow quality. In non-degraded areas, warming enhanced the recovery ratio for NH₄⁺-¹⁵N by 165% but reduced it for glycine-¹⁵N by 66%. Conversely, in degraded plots, warming decreased the recovery ratio for NH₄⁺-¹⁵N by 66% but increased it for glycine-¹⁵N by 232%. This indicates that warming can increase carbon limitation for soil microbes in degraded alpine meadows, and the restoration of degraded alpine meadows should prioritize restoring carbon accumulation. Full article

The root traits and response strategies of plants play crucial roles in mediating interactions between plant root systems. Current research on the role of root exudates as underground chemical signals mediating these interactions has focused mainly on crops, with less attention given to desert plants in arid regions. In this study, we focused on the typical desert plant Haloxylon ammodendron and conducted a pot experiment using three root isolation methods (plastic film separation, nylon mesh separation, and no separation). We found that (1) as the degree of isolation increased, plant biomass significantly increased (p < 0.05), while root organic carbon content exhibited the opposite trend; (2) soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil total nitrogen (STN), soil total phosphorus (STP), and soil organic carbon (SOC) were significantly greater in the plastic film and nylon mesh separation treatments than in the no separation treatment (p < 0.05), and the abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota was significantly greater in the plastic film separation treatment than in the no separation treatment (p < 0.05); (3) both plastic film and nylon mesh separations increased the secretion of alkaloids derived from tryptophan and phenylalanine in the plant root system compared with that in the no separation treatment; and (4) Pseudomonas, Proteobacteria, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, and coumarins showed positive correlations, while both pseudomonas and proteobacteria were significantly positively correlated with soil EC, STN, STP, and SOC (p < 0.05). Aurachin D was negatively correlated with Gemmatimonadota and Proteobacteria, and both were significantly correlated with soil pH, EC, STN, STP, and SOC. The present study revealed strong negative interactions between the root systems of H. ammodendron seedlings, in which sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, coumarins, and alkaloids released by the roots played an important role in the subterranean competitive relationship. This study provides a deeper understanding of intraspecific interactions in the desert plant H. ammodendron and offers some guidance for future cultivation of this species in the northwestern region of China. Full article

The article investigates the effects of different cropping rotations on soil moisture and economic benefit. Cabbage–maize–cabbage (CMC), beans–maize–cabbage (BMC), and cabbage–cabbage–cabbage (CCC) treatments were set up to study the effects of different crop rotation combinations on soil water storage, evapotranspiration (ET), water use efficiency (WUE), and economic benefit. The results showed that the average soil moisture content decreased initially and then increased with crop rotation, whereas it continued to decrease with continuous cabbage cropping as the crop grew. CMC reduced ET, whereas BMC increased ET from the nodulation to maturation stages of cabbage compared with CCC in the third experimental year. WUE of different crops showed that cabbage > maize > beans. The economic benefit of the CMC was higher than the other treatments in the third planting year. Therefore, the best crop rotation combination in this area is cabbage–maize–cabbage. Full article

Legumes have important nutritional and economic values, but their production faces continuous cropping obstacles that seriously affect their yield formation. In order to reduce the negative impact of the continuous cropping obstacles of legumes, it is necessary to understand the response mechanisms of legumes to continuous cropping, the causes of continuous cropping obstacles and the measures to alleviate continuous cropping obstacles. This review aimed to identify the current knowledge gap in the field of continuous cropping obstacles of legumes and provide direction and focus for future research. The continuous cropping obstacles of legumes start with soil degradation, leading to oxidative stress in the plants. This triggers the expression of plant-hormone- and signal-molecule-related genes, activating the defense system and causing continuous cropping obstacles. Although there has been progress in researching these challenges in legume crops, many questions remain. We believe that the exploration of molecular mechanisms of legume crops responding to continuous cropping, rhizosphere signal exchange and soil environment repair mechanisms after long-term continuous cropping of soybean, and the excavation of candidate genes and functional loci related to continuous cropping obstacles in legume crops are breakthroughs for proposing effective continuous cropping obstacle management strategies in the future. Full article

Understanding the invasion potential of any plant species is crucial for early detection in habitat conservation, particularly when observing their expansion within their native region. As a test species, we utilised Allium ursinum L., a dominant clonal species in early spring forest floors. We compared the species’ germination capacity in native (Hungarian) and non-native (North American) soils, its seedling growth, and competing performances with two co-occurring dominant species, Melica uniflora Retz. and Carex pilosa Scop., in ten soil types and three soil compositions, respectively. Additionally, the competitive interactions of A. ursinum with Convallaria majalis L., a species already introduced in North America, were assessed under three moisture conditions. The results revealed that A. ursinum exhibited enhanced germination in non-native soils, while its shoot growth was most vigorous in control soil. When grown in soils with different co-dominant species, A. ursinum seedlings exhibited varying growth rates, significantly influenced by solar radiation intensity. A. ursinum shoots displayed superior growth in soil collected from C. pilosa stands compared to soil originating from its own stands. Notably, A. ursinum effectively competed against C. majalis in moderate soil moisture conditions. Furthermore, increasing sand content improved the competitive ability of A. ursinum against C. pilosa and M. uniflora. Based on our findings, A. ursinum possesses an invasion potential for particular North American habitats. However, the extent of its potential is dependent upon soil and climatic conditions. Under medium moisture regime, A. ursinum might outcompete the already established C. majalis from its habitats. Additionally, it can potentially displace native species with comparable ecological characteristics, such as C. pilosa and M. uniflora, especially in loose soils. Similar cross-range seed germination, growth, and paired competition experiments with potential competitor species are highly recommended as these can not only elucidate its native range expansion but also various growth scenarios for its agricultural cultivation. Full article

The addition of organic materials is pivotal for the efficacy of reductive soil disinfestation (RSD). However, data on the influence of varying amounts of organic matter during RSD on soil-borne disease mitigation, yield increase, and rhizosphere microecological health in the current flue-cured tobacco season remain limited. This study analyzed various organic material addition rates (CK, G0.8, G1.0, and G1.2) at two experimental sites (K and Y). The results indicated that increasing the application of organic material improved the soil physicochemical properties (pH, AN, AP, AK, OM, and C/N), mitigated the severity of black shank and Fusarium root rot, and amplified the tobacco yield. The K/YG1.2 treatment significantly reduced the Shannon and Sobs fungal indices across both sites, and enhanced the relative abundance of the bacteria Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Acidobacteriota, while decreasing the relative abundance of Ascomycota. The bacterial genera were predominantly represented by Sphingomonas and Bacillus, whereas the fungal genera were represented by Saitozyma, Mortierella, and Fusarium. The addition of organic materials during RSD substantially decreased the relative abundance of Mortierella and Fusarium. Using FUNGGuild and Tax4Fun to evaluate the application of adding organic matter during the RSD process, we identified that rhizosphere fungi in high application rates of flue-cured tobacco were primarily saprophytic or pathogenic saprophytes, which were mainly involved in the metabolism, environmental information processing, genetic information processing, and cellular processes. The results of the two experimental sites indicate that applying 15 t·ha⁻¹ (K/YG1.2) of solid residues such as vegetables during RSD emerges as the optimal choice. This strategy is highly effective in guaranteeing the sterilization and pest control effect of the RSD process, facilitating the reconstruction of microbial community diversity, lowering pathogen abundance, managing soil-borne diseases that are prevalent in the current flue-cured tobacco season, and leading to an increase in tobacco yield. Full article

In sustainable agriculture, plant nutrients are the most important elements. Biofertilisers introduce microorganisms that improve the nutrient status of plants and increase their accessibility to crops. To meet the demands of a growing population, it is necessary to produce healthy crops using the right type of fertilisers to provide them with all the key nutrients they need. However, the increasing dependence on chemical fertilisers is destroying the environment and negatively affecting human health. Therefore, it is believed that the use of microbes as bioinoculants, used together with chemical fertilisers, is the best strategy to increase plant growth and soil fertility. In sustainable agriculture, these microbes bring significant benefits to crops. In addition to colonising plant systems (epiphytes, endophytes and rhizospheres), beneficial microbes play a key role in the uptake of nutrients from surrounding ecosystems. Microorganisms, especially fungi, also play a protective function in plants, enhancing the responses of defence systems, and play a key role in situations related to soil iron deficiency or phosphorous solubilisation. Plant-associated microbes can thus promote plant growth regardless of natural and extreme conditions. The most frequently used strategies for growth-promoting microorganisms are nitrogen fixation, the production of growth hormones, siderophores, HCN, various hydrolytic enzymes and the solubilisation of potassium, zinc and phosphorous. Research on biofertilisers has been extensive and available, demonstrating how these microbes can provide crops with sufficient nutrients to increase yields. This review examines in detail the direct and indirect mechanisms of PGPR action and their interactions in plant growth and resistance. Full article

Increasingly, in orchards around the world that are planted one after another, disturbances are observed, and these issues with growth and development are called replantation disease. It is manifested mainly by poor tree growth after planting and poor ripening. One way to reduce replantation disease is to improve soil fertility after many years of fruit tree cultivation. The aim of the work was to evaluate the growth and yield of cherries after replantation and to compare this with a site where fruit trees had not grown before. The trees were planted at two sites: after the replantation of the cherry orchard (OR1) and in a site where fruit trees had not been cultivated before (OR2). Two combinations were used in each orchard: boiler without mulching (C), mulch—after planting mulching with a substrate after growing mushrooms (M). The trees at the site after replantation grew and bore less fruit than in the position where fruit trees had not grown before. The disease also affected some of the quality characteristics of the fruit. This resulted in an increase in fruit weight and a darker color (L*) and a higher value of hue fruit color. Mulching, which is often recommended in orchards planted after previous cultivation, did not provide the expected improvement. It did not significantly affect tree growth and yield. Only an effect on the content of components in the soil was observed, but it affected the condition of the trees. In addition, we analyzed how experimental combinations responded to climatic conditions by calculating the correlations between the SAT (sum of active temperatures) and the stages of tree development. Full article

The raising of container seedlings with light substrates has become an important method of seedling raising, without delaying the seedling period. In order to reduce reliance on non-renewable peat and to promote the reuse of organic waste, this study compared the growth of sour jujube seedlings in different substrate formulations (i.e., different proportions of vermicompost instead of peat), using a semi-subterranean placement of root control bags, and explored the application of vermicompost in the raising of sour jujube seedlings. The results showed that there were significant differences in the growth and the physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of sour jujube seedlings treated with different substrates, among which substrates A₂ (peat: vermicompost: vermiculite: garden soil = 0.5:0.5:1:1) and A₃ (peat: vermiculite: garden soil = 1:2:1) were suitable for sour jujube seedling raising. The seedling height, the seedling ground diameter, the number of secondary branches, the length of the longest secondary branch, the total fresh weight, the aboveground fresh weight, the total root length, the root projection area, and the root surface area were all significantly greater than those of jujube seedlings grown on other substrates. Especially in A₃, vermicompost can replace peat as the nursery substrate for sour jujube seedlings, removing dependence on non-renewable peat resources, reducing costs, and providing more prospects for application. The suitable substrate conditions for sour jujube seedlings were as follows: soil porosity 44.0–54.0%, electric conductivity (EC) value 0.2 mS/cm, organic matter 40.39~54.05 g·kg⁻¹, total nitrogen and total phosphorus of 1.67~1.91 g·kg⁻¹ and 0.95~1.20 g·kg⁻¹, respectively, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen 139.75~154.69 mg·kg⁻¹, and available phosphorus 137~224 mg·kg⁻¹. Full article