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Soybean cultivation is expanding in Central Europe, with regions such as Northern Germany becoming new frontiers due to rising temperatures and growing interest in protein security and cropping system diversification. Despite promising initial results, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding the long-term impacts of key management practices such as soil tillage, irrigation, and rotation schemes on soybean performance and ecosystem services (ES) like biological nitrogen fixation (BNF).

Legumes are increasingly acknowledged as key crops for sustainable agriculture due to their multiple ecosystem service (ES) benefits, including biological nitrogen fixation, carbon sequestration, soil health improvement, and biodiversity enhancement. These functions position legumes as strategic crops to address global challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and food security.

One of the most significant ecosystem services (ES) provided by legumes in arable systems is biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), contributing to nitrogen (N) provision for subsequent crops. However, this service is often undervalued or broadly generalized across regions and species, leading to potential over-fertilization and underestimation of legume contributions.

As the demand for plant-based milk and meat alternatives continues to rise, legumes have become key ingredients in these products. Currently, most formulations rely on soybean, which poses agronomic challenges in countries like Spain, where its cultivation is not ideal. In response, Soria Natural, an industry partner of the LegumES project, is seeking alternative legume crops better suited to local conditions.

The Crop Diversity Experiment, established in 2018 at the Aprisco experimental research station, investigates the benefits of crop mixtures on ecosystem services (ES). This long-term study has provided valuable insights into how intercropping affects crop yield, weed suppression, soil biodiversity, and resource use efficiency (Stefan et al. 2021; Engbersen et al. 2021, 2022; Schöb et al. 2023).

Managing nitrogen fertility in Mediterranean agricultural systems is complex due to their distinct climate and soil characteristics. High temperatures and oxygen levels during the growing season lead to low soil organic matter, while cold and rainy winters increase nutrient leaching, particularly of nitrogen. These conditions create challenges in synchronizing nitrogen availability with crop demand, especially in organic systems where external inputs are limited.

Mediterranean agricultural systems face significant fertility challenges due to their unique climatic and soil conditions. Low organic matter, nutrient leaching during wet winters, and harsh summer temperatures often lead to poor nitrogen availability and reduced yields—especially in organic systems. To address these limitations, Pilot Study 12 explores the use of legumes not only as productive crops but also as powerful soil fertility builders in rainfed rotations.

Vale do Leandro Agro Pecuária, a family-run dairy farm in Maia, Portugal, is seeking sustainable and protein-rich alternatives to improve its winter forage system. The farm currently relies on a cereal-based silage mix, complemented with imported soy to meet the herd’s nutritional requirements. However, challenges such as low protein content in silage, high herbicide use, soil acidity, and rising seed costs are driving the need for more resilient, locally adapted solutions.

In the Hauts-de-France region, legumes remain underrepresented in crop rotations—but they hold untapped potential to support biodiversity. Faba beans, in particular, can provide vital floral resources such as nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, especially pollinators, during critical periods. As insect populations continue to decline, enhancing the availability of these resources is more urgent than ever.

As part of France’s Plant Protein Plan (2020), increasing grain legume cultivation can enhance protein autonomy while reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer dependency. Legumes contribute to soil fertility, improving yield and nitrogen efficiency in subsequent crops. However, the variability of these benefits across different species and environments remains insufficiently understood.