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BACKGROUND: Previous research has established that using high‐quality planting material during the early phase of vegetable production significantly impacts success and efficiency, leading to improved crop performance, faster time to harvest and better profitability. In the present study, we conducted a global analysis of vegetable seedlings and transplants, providing a comprehensive overview of research trends in seedling and transplant production to enhance the nutritional quality of vegetables. RESULTS: The analysis involved reviewing and quantitatively analysing 762 articles and 5248 keywords from the Scopus database from 1971 to 2022. We used statistical, mathematical and clustering tools to analyse bibliometrics and visualise the most relevant research topics. A visualisation map was generated to identify the evolution of keywords used in the articles, resulting in five clusters for further analysis. Our study highlights the importance of the size of seed trays for the type of crop, the mechanical seeder used and the greenhouse facilities to produce desirable transplants. We identified grafting and light‐emitting diode (LED) lighting technology as rapidly expanding technologies in vegetable seedlings and transplant production used to promote plant qualitative profile. CONCLUSION: There is a need for sustainable growing media to optimise resources and reduce input use. Thus, applying grafting, LED artificial lighting, biostimulants, biofortification and plant growth‐promoting microorganisms in seedling production can enhance efficiency and promote sustainable vegetable nutritional quality by accumulating biocompounds. Further research is needed to explore the working mechanisms and devise novel strategies to enhance the product quality of vegetables, commencing from the early stages of food production. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An overview of trends in seedling and transplant production has been carried out. • Statistical, mathematical, and clustering tools were used to analyse bibliometrics. • Sustainable growing media optimize resources and reduce input use. • Grafting and LED lighting are now common techniques in seedlings production. • Nutripriming and biostimulants promote sustainable vegetable nutritional quality. Nowadays, sustainable and resilient cultivation techniques have significantly increased in vegetable cultivation. Thus, there is a growing demand for high-quality certified planting materials suitable for these new cultivation methods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of recent sustainable practices in vegetable seedling nurseries. Here, we thoroughly analysed 604 articles and 3553 keywords from the Scopus database, utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, covering the past 20 yr. We conducted a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software. to identify the most relevant study topics. The design of seed trays, seed enhancement treatments, and controlled environmental conditions are crucial for generating optimal seedlings and transplants. Additionally, sustainable growing media are necessary to optimize resources and reduce input use. We identified grafting and LED lighting technology as rapidly advancing technologies in seedling production. Furthermore, applying biostimulants and beneficial microorganisms as booster agents can enhance efficiency and promote sustainable production. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the research trends for vegetable seedlings and transplants, underscoring the imperative for adopting sustainable practices within the nursery industry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]