Systems and methods for additively manufacturing or repairing a component from a base material. The system may include an inoculation source to direct inoculation materials and a laser metal deposition (LMD) system to direct laser energy during laser processing of additive materials deposited in a melt pool on the base material. The LMD system includes a laser energy source configured to direct laser energy towards the base material and inoculation materials to form the melt pool thereon and to process the deposited additive materials and inoculation materials to form layers on the base material upon solidification.