Why do farmers plow a crop of legumes into the ground rather than harvest it?

Legumes, such as soybeans, peas, beans and clover, are nitrogen-fixing plants. Their roots have symbiotic relationships with bacteria that can capture nitrogen from the atmosphere. This nitrogen is then converted into a form that the plants can use.

When legumes are plowed into the ground, they release the nitrogen back into the soil. This can benefit subsequent crops, which will have access to more nitrogen and may produce higher yields. In addition, plowing legumes can help to improve soil structure and add organic matter.

Plowing legumes into the ground is often done as part of a crop rotation system. Crop rotation involves rotating different types of crops on a piece of land over time. This can help to maintain soil fertility, reduce erosion, and control pests and diseases.