what is the role of legumes in maintaining soil environment?

Answer 1

Legumes have nodules at their roots which contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria are able to take N2 gas and use it to produce nitrogen compounds needed by the plant. This adds nitrogen compounds to the soil that other plants can use as fertilizer. Farmers have used this for years. Rotation of crops between soy beans and corn in alternating years helps put the nitrogen compounds back into the soil that the corn removes.