Jena, JagadishMaitra, SagarHossain, AkbarPramanick, BiswajitGitari, Harun I.Praharaj, SubhashisaShankar, TanmoyPalai, Jnana BharatiRathore, AkshitMandal, Tanuj KumarJatav, Hanuman Singh2022-03-302022-03-302022-02Jena, Jagadish & Maitra, Sagar & Hossain, Akbar & Pramanick, Biswajit & Gitari, Harun & Praharaj, Subhashisa & Shankar, Tanmoy & Palai, Jnana & Rathore, Akshit & Mandal, Tanuj & Jatav, Hanuman. (2022). Role of Legumes in Cropping System for Soil Ecosystem Improvement.978-1-68507-614-6http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/23415A book chapter in Ecosystem Services: Types, Management and BenefitsPublisher: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 415 Oser Avenue, Suite N Hauppauge, NY, 11788 USASoil health management is a prime concern to ensure agricultural sustainability. Dwindling soil fertility as well as declining soil health is one of the great challenges of the present time to feed the world population. Injudicious use of chemical fertilizers may negatively affect soil health. Further, chemical fertilizer production is associated with release of greenhouse gases to atmosphere and thus, pollutes the environment. In the present context of climate change and global warming, legumes can be considered for mitigation of ill effects of climate change and improving soil health. Legumes are versatile crops, having a huge potential to produce protein-rich grains, fix nitrogen biologically and enrich beneficial microbes in soil. Some legumes are capable to solubilize the unavailable phosphate by exudating organic acids from their roots. Legumes can facilitate rebuilding of soil organic matter and restrict pests and pathogens when incorporated in crop rotation. Besides, legumes are known for weed suppression and check erosion as cover crops. As green and brown manures, legumes add a sizeable quantity of biomass and nutrients to the soil. In cropping system, legumes fit well because of wider diversity and adaptability. The multifaceted benefits of legumes are prominent either in multiple cropping or intercropping, and thus, can be considered as an inevitable choice for soil health management in the journey towards sustainable agriculture.enlegumescropping systemgreen and brown manuringsoil healthagricultural sustainabilityBook chapter