Heavy metals may be introduced in agricultural soil by many sources, one of which is sewage sludge application as a fertilizer. Heavy metals in polluted soil can negatively affect plant growth and productivity. Aiming at exploring means to alleviate heavy metals stress on soybean plant, the present study was performed with the objective to test the alleviating effect of ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, yeast extract, thyme oil as well as inoculation with  arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on soybean plants challenged with either cadmium, cobalt or sewage sludge. Results indicated that  though all had beneficial effect manifested by maintaining yield and reducing its content from heavy metals as well as elevating stress-related metabolites, especially phenols, application of thyme oil or yeast extract and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were the most effective and are recommended to be employed to mitigate heavy metals stress on soybean in heavy metals-affected soils.