Root crops are particularly sensitive towards growth conditions, while simplifications recommended at present in agricultural technology exert diverse effects on reactions of cultivated plants. The study aimed at evaluating the impact of varied tillage systems and plant cultivation as well as foliar cooper and manganese nutrition on root yields of scorzonera and some of their qualitative traits. The field experiments were carried out in 2005–2007 on lessive soil developed from loess formations covering the chalky marls. Scorzonera of Duplex cv. was the testing plant. The experimental pattern included the following factors: two plant cultivation methods (on flat soil and on ridges), two pre-sowing tillage systems (harrowing, rototiller), as well as foliar nutrition with copper and manganese. The highest total and marketable yields of scorzonera roots at the lowest share of non-commercial roots in total yield, was achieved due to cultivation in ridges, after pre-sowing tillage using rototiller, and manganese foliar nutrition. The positive influence of scorzonera cultivation on ridges on dry matter content in roots was recorded. Diverse tillage systems and plant foliar nutrition had no significant effects on inulin content in scorzonera roots; however the increasing tendency of the component concentration at plants cultivated on ridges after shallow spring tillage procedures, was observed. Studied experimental factors did not exert any considerable influence on protein contents in scorzonera roots.

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