USO DE LEGUMINOSAS NA RECUPERAÇÃO DE ÁREAS DEGRADADAS NO CERRADO: UMA REVISÃO

Abstract

Soil degradation in agricultural and natural environments has intensified, demanding more efficient environmental restoration strategies. This study aimed to review the scientific literature on the use of legumes in the recovery of degraded areas, addressing their mechanisms of action, documented benefits, and limitations reported in recent studies. This is a narrative literature review, based on searches in SciELO, Google Scholar, and the Embrapa digital library, prioritizing publications from 2020 to 2025 and using descriptors in Portuguese and English related to legumes, biological nitrogen fixation, green manure, and soil restoration. The selected studies were analyzed critically and comparatively, considering the applicability of legumes in different degradation contexts. The results indicate that these species promote chemical, physical, and biological improvements in the soil, especially through biological nitrogen fixation, increased organic matter, greater aggregate stability, and stimulation of microbial biomass. Species such as Crotalaria juncea, Mucuna pruriens, Vigna unguiculata, Stylosanthes spp., Cajanus cajan, and Lupinus albus stand out for their high biomass production, adaptability to adverse conditions, and, in some cases, phytoremediation potential. Consortia with grasses and the use of organic compounds derived from legumes further enhance productivity gains and nutrient-use efficiency. It is concluded that the planned use of legumes represents a technically and economically viable alternative for restoring the functionality of degraded areas and supporting more sustainable production systems.