Complementary Photostimulation of Seeds and Plants as an Effective Tool for Increasing Crop Productivity and Quality in Light of New Challenges Facing Agriculture in the 21st Century—A Case Study

Abstract

Climate change has prompted the search for new methods for improving agricultural practices for legume crops. The aim of the study was to test an innovative method of complementary photostimulation of seeds and plants aimed to improve the quantitative and qualitative features of soybean (Glycine hispida L. (Merr.)) yield. Complementary photostimulation of plants was shown to positively affect the yield and chemical composition of soybeans, significantly increasing the content of protein and fat in seeds of the Merlin cultivar. Significant positive effects compared to the control were obtained following irradiation of seeds and plants for 3 s (the shorter of the analyzed exposure times). The results clearly indicate the need to improve the proposed new HUGO (High Utility for Optimal Growth) technology to optimize soybean yield.