Thermal treatment plant for soybeans: Based on the analysis of different technologies for mechanical oil extraction and thermal treatment of soybean seeds, the project developed the prototype of a thermal treatment plant for soybeans suitable for use on farms of different sizes, taking into account the relationship between the quality of the end products - oil and oil pellets - and the cost. Criteria such as user-friendliness, reliability and safety in operation, cost efficiency and low energy consumption were taken into account. An optimal size for the prototype was determined in terms of consumption of materials and components. The seed, which is thermally treated in the first phase, is fed to a continuous mechanical seed press in the second phase (from which the end products oil and oil pellets are obtained). The plant allows for a low carbon footprint for the final soy products, as the energy obtained in the second phase of seed processing has been taken into account. The plant allows thermal treatment with electric IR heaters while the soybeans are continuously transported through a drum to turn and move the seeds. The drum is able to continuously vary the number of revolutions to achieve the optimal rotation speed depending on the desired temperature of the seeds. It is also possible to regulate the distance between the electric IR heaters and the drum. The entire process is controlled by an electronic control unit that allows optimal timing for the thermal treatment. More information about the prototype of thermal treatment plant can be found in the book "Zrnate stročnice v prehrani domačih živali" (https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/659) and on the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/).

Thermal treatment of soybeans and the use of grain legumes in feed for non-ruminants: we produced educational material and provided knowledge about the importance of thermal treatment of soybeans for feeding non-ruminants (pigs and poultry) and different possible methods of thermal treatment - current technologies and their impact on the properties and nutritional value of soybean meal and soybeans for farmers in Slovenia. It was also important to familiarise farmers with the machines currently on the market and the companies that offer them. The importance of appropriate temperature (data from various existing commercial lines) for successful preparation and use of soybeans and soymeal was pointed out. We also reviewed and prepared recommendations on the production parameters of feeds for pigs and poultry containing different soy products (comparison of soymeal produced as a by-product of pressing or oil extraction, whole roasted grains, micronised grains, etc.). We have also provided an overview of the possibilities of including different grain legumes in feed meals for pigs and poultry. We collected basic information on the composition and energy value of different protein feeds and prepared an overview of the largest recommended amounts of individual feed components in feed meals for different categories of pigs, laying hens and broilers. At a partner farm, we reviewed the quality of thermally treated extruded soybeans and found a solution to improve the operation of the extruder. New, more modern approaches to feeding non-ruminants are summarised in the book "Zrnate stročnice v prehrani rejnih živali" (https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/665) and on the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/).

Efficiency of different mechanical weed control systems: The efficiency of different mechanical weed control systems was tested (tine, finger weeder and a combination of both tools). The variety MS Mentor and row spacing of 70 cm was used. A finger weeder and the combination of a tine and finger weeder proved to be effective in weed control. With a finger weeder, we destroyed the weeds at the stage of the first trifoliate leaf (16 days after emergence) and at the stage of two fully developed trifoliate leaves (23 days after emergence). In our experience, in years with frequent rainfall occured every few days, the weed should be mechanically controlled three times (after 2nd, 3rd and 7th week after emergence). In years with less frequent rainfall, two passes are sufficient, the first 2–3 weeks after emergence and the second pass 7 weeks after emergence. For effective weed control, the combined use of a tine weeder and a finger weeder is recommended, requiring two passes with the tine weeder, the first 5–6 days after sowing and the second at the stage of the soybean's first true pair of leaves. At this stage of plant development, it is necessary to adjust the speed (3–5 km/h) and intensity of the tine (to 40% of the maximum) accordingly. In combination with the tine weeder, the finger weeder can be used in a period of three weeks after the soybean emergence and shortly before flowering. The yield of organic soybeans was 3.2 t/ha with both treatments – the finger weeder and the combined use of the tine and finger weeder. For more information, see the book Pridelava zrnatih stročnic: https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/143), on the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/), and in the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKsl5QiUXeA&t.

The greater use of grain legumes (pulses) in the human diet is limited mainly by the fact that consumers are not aware of the potential of using grain legumes in various foods. Recently, the situation has improved, especially with the promotion of trendy products such as vegetarian burgers, where pulses are the main ingredient. In the initial phase of the project, we conducted promotional activities where samples of legume products were tasted during on-farm trainings, such as different spreads, bakery products, pickled and roasted legumes and even coffee made from legumes. At the same time, an article was published on the web portal prehrana.si about the nutritional properties of lupin, which is unjustly ignored as a legume with excellent nutritional value. We have also started activities aimed at increasing the nutritional value of pulses through fermentation, germination and preparation of microgreens. Preliminary research has shown that spontaneous fermentation can lead to the formation of harmful biogenic amines, while sprouting of certain legumes leads to an increase in nutritionally beneficial polyamines. Research of this kind can contribute significantly to optimising the technology for improving the nutritional value of foods from pulses. Such high value-added products (natto, tempeh) are already being produced and sold in the domestic market. Read more in the book "Zrnate stročnice v prehrani" (https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/659) and on the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/).

Spacing between rows in soybean cultivation: Soybean varieties differ in numerous parameters. The differences arise primarily from information about the region (latitude, pedoclimatic conditions) in which the variety was bred (improved), which affects the length of the growing period or earliness (maturity). Another important characteristic to distinguish varieties is their habitus or growth type. The plants can either be upright and tall, with few side shoots on which pods form on the main stem, or they can have a more compact and bushy habitus, with more side shoots, which means that the plants need more space between the rows. Therefore, when introducing varieties into Slovenian production, it is necessary to check not only the suitability of the length of the growing season, but also how much space the plant needs to grow under our pedoclimatic conditions. In this EIP project, we tested how different distances between rows affect the growth and seed yield of the selected soybean variety. For this purpose, we used three varieties (Altona, ES Mentor and PR91M10) and planted them at three different row spacings (12.5, 25 and 37.5 cm) at the same planting density. Our experiments showed that it makes most sense to use a narrower row spacing of 12.5 cm for semi-determinate and early (00) soybean varieties, such as the variety ES Mentor, as this gives the highest soybean grain yield.  For more information, see the book Pridelava zrnatih stročnic: https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/143) and the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/.

Soybean inoculation: Inoculation of soybean seeds with bacteria of the genus Rhizobium is an agricultural practise that has positive effects on plant growth. The bacteria have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and release it to the plants in exchange for nutrients (carbohydrates). Seed inoculation should be done immediately before sowing so that the inoculant is fresh and intact. Most seed companies sell soybean seed that has already been inoculated by applying the preferred inoculant directly to the surface of the seed. We recommend that this seed is also freshly inoculated, as improper storage and transport can damage the seed coat and reduce the viability of the rhizobia inoculant. As part of the project, we investigated the positive effect of an additional bacterial seed inoculation. The seed inoculation should be carried out in a shady place. Carrying out seed inoculation is not difficult; to inoculate 100 kg of soybean seeds (this amount is needed for about 1 hectare), about 200 g of inoculant is dissolved in 500 ml of water (the amount of inoculant and water depends on the instructions of the manufacturer of the inoculant). Seeds and the dissolved inoculant should be mixed well, e.g. with a concrete mixer or by hand in a large container. The seed is then prepared for sowing. At a relatively low cost for the inoculant (about 10-20 €/ha), a 15–20% higher seed yield and also a higher protein content in the seed is expected. In addition, inoculation of the seed can reduce (from 40-60%) or even eliminate the need for fertilisation with mineral nitrogen if livestock manure was used before sowing. For more information, see the project website: http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/.

Soyabean and other grain legumes and their products in rations suitable for feeding ruminants: Ruminants can only directly utilise the protein that is not broken down in the rumen. In untreated, full-fat soybeans, up to 80–85% of the total protein is degraded to ammonia. Suitable heat treatment can reduce the degradability of the protein to about 40%. This can significantly increase the amount of amino acids digestible in the intestine, which directly contribute to meeting the animals' protein requirements. As far as trypsin inhibitors are concerned, heat treatment of soybeans is not essential for adult ruminants due to their degradation in the rumen. However, heat treatment of soybeans and soybean products has many advantages. Heat-treated soybeans can also be fed to young ruminants, taste and protein utilisation can be improved by deactivating urease, and heat-treated soybeans can also be fed together with urea-containing feeds. However, the conditions for heat treatment of soybeans and soybean products should be optimised. If the heat treatment is too mild, the positive effect on the degradability of the protein in the rumen will not be achieved, while if the treatment is too extensive, the digestibility of the protein in the small intestine may be reduced. Newer, more modern approaches to feeding ruminants are compiled in the book Grain Legumes in Nutrition of Farm Animals (https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/665) and on the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/).

The potential of using reduced doses of herbicides in soybean production: Weeds are the most economically important factor in soybean production and can reduce yields by 75% or more. In Slovenia, weed populations in soybean are most commonly controlled with pre-emergence herbicides (FFS). The use of exclusively mechanical methods is rare and mostly takes place in organic farming, and the combination of mechanical and chemical weed control is also less common. There are several reasons for this, including a lack of knowledge, experience and tools for mechanical weed control on our farms. The working hypothesis of the project was that with reduced herbicide doses applied in the pre-emergence of soybeans and weeds, satisfactory weed control efficacy can be achieved without reducing yields and at the same time lowering costs. Field trials were conducted on two partner farms to determine the efficacy of pre-emergence herbicide combinations on soybeans and weeds (S-metolachlor + pendimethalin and pendimethalin + clomazone applied at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended dose). The results show that the number and mass of weeds were significantly lower after ploughing than after conservation tillage, indicating the advantages of ploughing in weed control. As a result, weed control efficacy of over 90% was achieved with this treatment, reducing the recommended pre-emergence herbicide dose by 50% without reducing soybean yields. Similar efficacy was achieved with a dose reduced to 75% of the recommended pre-emergence herbicide dose in conservation tillage. For more information, see the book Pridelava zrnatih stročnic: https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/143) and the project website: http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/.

Rational nitrogen fertilisation of soybeans: Soybean seeds have a high protein content, therefore the nitrogen requirement of the plant is high for optimal yield formation. Soybean plants can meet their nitrogen needs through mineral or organic nitrogen fertilizers, soil mineralisation and atmospheric nitrogen fixation by symbiotic bacteria. For soybeans to have sufficient nitrogen available during the growing season through symbiosis and mineralisation, conditions such as a suitable soil pH, good soil aeration and suitable temperature conditions with adequate moisture supply must be met. Exceptions that justify nitrogen fertilisation of soybeans are unfavourable weather conditions (heavy rainfall, cold weather), waterlogging in the root zone, compacted soils with a pH in an unsuitable range or soils with low fertility and an unsuitable water-air regime that do not allow the development of a sufficient number of nodules on the roots and thus a sufficient nitrogen supply to the plant. Nitrogen fertilisation of soybeans at the beginning of flowering only makes sense if the leaves of the soybeans are light green or have already turned yellow and if more than 30% of the plants have no nodules. Including legumes in the crop rotation can contribute significantly to biodiversity in the fields and also reduce the need for nitrogen fertiliser for other crops in the rotation. In our experience, nitrogen inputs can be reduced by up to 30%, which significantly increases competitive production in the fields. For more information, see the book "Pridelava zrnatih stročnic" (https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/143) and the project website (http://zrnatestrocnice.um.si/).