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Biochar, a product of the pyrolysis of organic material, has received wide attention as a means to improve soil fertility, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. This study was conducted in an arid zone agricultural region to investigate the impacts of biochar on soil quality, N₂-fixation, and net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) for a legume-cereal crop rotation (2013-15). Biochar was produced by pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and applied at rates of 0%, 0.25%, and 0.5% carbon (C) equivalent, with and without chemical fertilizer (23 kg N, 45 kg P and 25 kg K ha⁻¹). In terms of soil quality, biochar applications increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and decreased soil bulk density. The yield of mash bean and wheat crop was significantly enhanced in response to biochar treatment with and without chemical fertilizer during both the years of study. N₂-fixation in mash …