Raman spectroscopy is one of the main analytical techniques used in optical metrology. It is a vibration, marker-free technique that provides insight into the structure and composition of tissues and cells at the molecular level. Raman spectroscopy is an outstanding material identification technique. It provides spatial information of vibrations from complex biological samples which renders it a very accurate tool for the analysis of highly complex plant tissues. Raman spectra can be used as a fingerprint tool for a very wide range of compounds. Raman spectroscopy enables all the polymers that build the cell walls of plants to be tracked simultaneously; it facilitates the analysis of both the molecular composition and the molecular structure of cell walls. Due to its high sensitivity to even minute structural changes, this method is used for comparative tests. The introduction of new and improved Raman techniques by scientists as well as the constant technological development of the apparatus has resulted in an increased importance of Raman spectroscopy in the discovery and defining of tissues and the processes taking place in them.

One of the main factors driving faster rates of climate change is coal burning. Coal has been a staple in global energy production for hundreds of years. In 2023, coal accounted for 35.51 % of global electricity production (in US 16,2 % of electricity comes from coal. Coal power generation is a major cause of greenhouse gas and toxic emissions into the atmosphere, adversely affecting human health, ecosystem degradation, water resources and air quality. Coal consumption leads to more than 15 billion tons of global CO₂ emissions annually. Coal-fired power plants account for about 20 % of these emissions. Moving away from coal as an energy fuel is an international priority in industrialized countries. Governments are seeking to reduce greenhouse gases and limit the development of coal mines, coal-fired power plants and related infrastructure. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached an agreement to combat climate change and accelerate and intensify the action and investment required for a sustainable low-carbon future. The European Union has decided to gradually reduce electricity generation from solid fossil fuels. A number of initiatives in the EU point to the need to develop good practices for the transformation of coal regions, an integral part of which is the proper development and reclamation of land degraded and devastated by the exploitation of energy resources. The authors aimed to introduce the audience to coal market trends its role in the energy industry and its impact on the environment and human health. The authors wanted to present the global and individual actions of governments to withdraw coal from the global energy market, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions and stopping accelerating climate change. New solutions are needed for obtaining energy from non-fossil fuel sources, especially since these deposits in Europe are significantly limited and will be depleted.

The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific results and summarise the emerging topic of the effects of statistic magnetic field on the structure, biochemical activity, and gene expression of plants. The literature on the subject reports a wide range of possibilities regarding the use of the magnetic field to modify the properties of plant cells. MFs have a significant impact on the photosynthesis efficiency of the biomass and vigour accumulation indexes. Treating plants with SMFs accelerates the formation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. At the same time, the influence of MFs causes the high activity of antioxidant enzymes, which reduces oxidative stress. SMFs have a strong influence on the shape of the cell and the structure of the cell membrane, thus increasing their permeability and influencing the various activities of the metabolic pathways. The use of magnetic treatments on plants causes a higher content of proteins, carbohydrates, soluble and reducing sugars, and in some cases, lipids and fatty acid composition and influences the uptake of macro- and microelements and different levels of gene expression. In this study, the effect of MFs was considered as a combination of MF intensity and time exposure, for different varieties and plant species. The following article shows the wide-ranging possibilities of applying magnetic fields to the dynamics of changes in the life processes and structures of plants. Thus far, the magnetic field is not widely used in agricultural practice. The current knowledge about the influence of MFs on plant cells is still insufficient. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out detailed research for a more in-depth understanding of the possibilities of modifying the properties of plant cells and achieving the desired effects by means of a magnetic field.

The presented article is a review of the literature reports on the influence of magnetic and electric fields on the growth, yield, ripening, and durability of fruits and their quality. The article shows the potential application of MF and EF in agricultural production. Magnetic and electrical fields increase the shelf life of the fruit and improve its quality. Alternating magnetic fields (AMF) with a value of 0.1–200 mT and a power frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz improve plant growth parameters. MF cause an increase in firmness, the rate of maturation, the content of beta-carotene, lycopene, and fructose, sugar concentration, and a reduction in acidity and respiration. The most common is a high-voltage electric field (HVEF) of 2–3.61 kV/cm. These fields extend the shelf life and improve the quality of fruit by decreasing respiration rate and ethylene production. The presented methods seem to be a promising way to increase the quantity and quality of crops in agricultural and fruit production. They are suitable for extending the shelf life of fruit and vegetables during their storage. Further research is needed to develop an accessible and uncomplicated way of applying MF and AEF in agricultural and fruit production.

The present review covers reports discussing potential applications of the specificity of Raman techniques in the advancement of digital farming, in line with an assumption of yield maximisation with minimum environmental impact of agriculture. Raman is an optical spectroscopy method which can be used to perform immediate, label-free detection and quantification of key compounds without destroying the sample. The authors particularly focused on the reports discussing the use of Raman spectroscopy in monitoring the physiological status of plants, assessing crop maturity and quality, plant pathology and ripening, and identifying plant species and their varieties. In recent years, research reports have presented evidence confirming the effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy in identifying biotic and abiotic stresses in plants as well as in phenotyping and digital selection of plants in farming. Raman techniques used in precision agriculture can significantly improve capacities for farming management, crop quality assessment, as well as biological and chemical contaminant detection, thereby contributing to food safety as well as the productivity and profitability of agriculture. This review aims to increase the awareness of the growing potential of Raman spectroscopy in agriculture among plant breeders, geneticists, farmers and engineers.

The present review focuses on recent reports on the contribution of the Raman method in the development of digital agriculture, according to the premise of maximizing crops with a minimal impact of agriculture on the environment. The Raman method is an optically based spectrum technique that allows for the species-independent study of plant physiology as well as the real-time determination of key compounds in a non-destructive manner. The review focuses on scientific reports related to the possibility of using the Raman spectrometer to monitor the physiological state of plants and, in particular, to effectively diagnose biotic and abiotic stresses. This review primarily aims to draw attention to and raise awareness of the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a digital tool capable of bridging the gap between scientists’ detailed knowledge of plants grown under laboratory conditions and farmers’ work. The Raman spectrometer allows plant breeders to take appropriate measures in a well-defined area, which will reduce the territory occupied by biotic and abiotic stresses, thus increasing yields and improving their quality. Raman technology applied to modern agriculture can positively affect the accuracy and speed of crop quality assessments, contributing to food safety, productivity and economic profitability. Further research and analysis on cooperation between farmers and scientists is indispensable to increase the viability and availability of Raman spectrometers for as many farmers and investors as possible.