Compared with ploughing tillage, no-tillage systems through their diversified effect on soil, modify its properties, and consequently conditions of plants’ growth and development. The aim of the study was evaluation of the long-term effect of various tillage systems on the pea yield and some soil properties. The experimental design included 5 tillage variants: 1 – conventional tillage applied annually: skimming + harrowing, sow ploughing to a depth of 25 cm, cultivator unit (cultivator with a string roller), 2 – reduced tillage applied annually (stubble cultivator), 3 – direct sowing into stubble applied annually, 4 – direct sowing applied alternately with reduced tillage, 5 – direct sowing interrupted after 2 years with an annual reduced tillage. The highest pea yields were obtained after reduced tillage, while application of conventional tillage and direct sowing under this plant resulted in a decrease in the grain yield by 7.5 and 11.0%, respectively. Differences in the grain yields in pea between tillage systems resulted mainly from a different plant density per 1 m² before harvest. No-tillage systems did not decrease protein content in pea grains compared with pea cultivation in a ploughing system. No beneficial effect was observed of the applied direct sowing interrupted with reduced tillage on the yield of pea. Long-term application of reduced tillage and direct sowing was favorable for increasing moisture and bulk density of the soil as well as for decreasing capillary water capacity. Moreover, it stimulated activity of soil enzymes to a depth of 10 cm.

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