When a farmer has grown corn in the same field for several years, the nitrogen content of the soil can become severely depleted. Nitrogen is necessary for healthy plant growth, so in order to combat this problem, a farmer who grows organic produce may also grow legumes such as soybeans in the same field, next to the corn. How does the use of legumes help the farmer solve the problem?

Use the following information for Questions below.

The nitrogen cycle describes the circulation and transformation of nitrogen between living things and the environment as it moves through Earth’s different systems.

The nitrogen cycle is shown in the following figure.