Laser irradiation is considered a new technology in agriculture; however, the success of irradiation depends on the selection of precise parameters for the light source and exposure. In this study, the impact of laser stimulation on germination and the occurrence of mycoflora in soybean seeds was assessed. The following factors were considered: (1) irradiation using blue and red coherent lights, (2) irradiation of seeds only (a), use of Bradyrhzobium japonicum vaccine only (b), and irradiation of the seeds plus the Bradyrhzobium japonicum vaccine (c). The germination index, seedling weight and seeds infected by fungus were determined. It was found that the laser treatment of seeds increased germination and seedling weight. Laser irradiation affected the abundance of species Phoma glomerata, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus nigricans and Gliocladium roseum. The use of blue laser (LB—514 nm) reduced the number of the non-pathogenic species, R. nigricans and G. roseum.

The laser stimulation of seeds is regarded as a modern method of seed enhancement. Our study evaluated the productivity and health of soybean plants resulting from the coherent irradiation of seeds and irradiation of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum. The two-factor pot experiment took into account (1) the type of irradiated biological material (seeds, AMF inoculum, and seeds and inoculum) and (2) the means of irradiation (red laser—LR, blue laser—LB, red and blue laser—LR + LB, and control). Seed weight per plant, pod number per plant, root weight, the Fv/Fm fluorescence parameters, and the health status of the aboveground and underground parts of the plants were assessed. Stimulation with a laser light was shown to have a positive effect on the productivity and health of soybean plants. Significantly better effects can be obtained by stimulating the seeds alone. The stimulation of seeds treated with AMF inoculum slightly reduced the productivity of the plants. However, with regards to the conditions of plants, the treatment of seeds with AMF inoculum and laser irradiation was shown to reduce the incidence of Septoria brown spots.

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are a valuable source of protein and help to support crop biodiversity in a sustainable agriculture system. To maintain varied crop rotation in sustainable production, it is advisable to include the winter form of pea, which is an excellent alternative to the spring form. However, the prolonged development of winter peas when weather patterns are unfavorable can adversely affect the morphological features and the health of the plants. The literature lacks studies on this issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics, yield, and canopy health of selected cultivars of winter peas. The study was conducted at the Prusy Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, located near Krakow, Poland (50°07′28″ N, 20°05′34″ E), during two growing seasons. The study evaluated six cultivars of winter peas and two means of protecting the canopy, with biological products containing Pythium oligandrum (Polyversum WP) or Bacillus subtilis (Serenade ASO). The yield, yield structure, efficiency of N uptake, and health of the plants were assessed. Crop protection treatments using Polyversum WP and Serenade ASO were shown to effectively protect winter peas against Fusarium wilt, which occurred only in the Specter and Arkta cultivars sprayed with Serenade. Polyversum WP increased the productivity of winter peas on average by 0.5 t ha⁻¹ and increased the efficiency of nitrogen uptake on average by 10 kg ha⁻¹ in comparison to the control. The Aviron and Arkta cultivars are recommended for cultivation in the conditions of Central Europe due to their high yield potential, high efficiency of nitrogen uptake, and good canopy health.

This study aimed to assess the effect of using selected herbs as companion crops in soybean cultivation on the yield and overall health of soybeans. A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications, where the primary experimental variable was the sowing method. The innovative cropping system involved cultivating soybeans alongside different companion herbs, such as alyssum (Lobularia maritima L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), and a herbal mixture referred to as ‘MIX’. The study showed that cultivation of soybean with fennel improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the yield, with a significant increase in seed yield (on average by 0.27 t ha⁻¹) as well as protein (7.67%) and oil yield (8.57%) compared to the pure soybean crop. The following fungal diseases were identified during the three-year study period (2021–2023): Cercospora leaf blight, Ascochyta blight, Fusarium wilt, and downy mildew. Cultivation of soybean with herbs as companion crops was implemented to improve the health of soybean to a varied extent. Borage, marigold, and calendula companion crops reduced infection of soybean by the fungi C. kikuchii and F. oxysporum. Cultivation with fennel and marigold was also beneficial for soybean health. On the other hand, cultivation with sweet alyssum and a mixture of herbs increased the occurrence of the fungus A. sojaecola. Cultivation of soybean in association with herbs is legitimate and requires further research given the priorities facing 21st-century agriculture.