Integrating legumes into cropping systems is frequently promoted to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture while maintaining productivity. However, common beans remain underrepresented in such assessments. In the framework of the EU-project LEGENDARY, this study quantifies the environmental impact of common beans in on-farm experiments, which follow a commercial management and allow for larger plot sizes compared to on-site experiments. This design bridges research and practice and enables biodiversity assessments. In 2024 and 2025, five on-farm experiments were conducted to evaluate differences between legumes and cereals regarding weed and pest pressure, pollinator abundance, soil quality, subsequent crop yield, and functional diversity assessments. Preliminary results of 2024 indicate no substantial differences in soil structure or weed cover. Insect biodiversity analyses are ongoing and additional data from 2025 are under evaluation. Comprehensive analyses are required before drawing conclusions on environmental impacts.
