Abstract. Series of model laboratory experiments were performed on loess soil to recognize the relationship between the mechanical impedance of an artificially formed surface soil crust and the emergence of various cultivable plants (cereals, root crops and vegetables). The following sequence of plants was established basing on their decreasing sensitivity to the surface crust strength at the time of emergence: Sugar beet (cv. PN Mono 4) > parsley > spring barley (cv. ARS) > carrot > sugar beet (cv. PN Mono 1) > tomato >  red beet root > french beans > reddish > cucumber > soybeans > maize > spring wheat > spring barley (cv. Diva) > winter wheat > oats > rye > spinach > triticale.