Soil compaction is potentially a major threat to agricultural productivity and the main form of soil degradation in Europe. The mechanical methods to eliminate compacted soil layers are expensive and energy consuming. One good alternative might be to use plants with vigorous roots to modify the compacted subsoil. The experiments with Cirsium arvense L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Lupinus angustifoilius L., Lupinus luteus L., Brassica napus ssp. oleifera Hertzg., Trifolium pratense L., Medicago sativa L., and Hordeum vulgare L. were made on Estonian University of Life Sciences research field in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The sandy loam Stagnic Luvisol was compacted by tractor MTZ-82 (total weight 4.9 Mg) by multiple tyre-to-tyre passing 1, 3 and 6 times. To evaluate the changes in soil physical properties the bulk density and cone resistance of soil were measured. From annual cultures the best results showed L. luteus on six times compacted treatment in subsoil, where the penetration resistance was 1 MPa lower than area planted with H. vulgare, L. angustifolius or B. napus in years 2003 and 2004. In 2005 showed the best results L. angustifolius. Annual cultures, as yellow lupine and oil rape, also decreased soil bulk density on 3- and 6-times compacted treatments 0.1 and 0.05 Mg m?3, respectively. At the same time growing of lupine and oil rape increased soil penetration resistance and bulk density in uncompacted and one time compacted soil, compared to barley. Perennial cultures, as red clover and Lucerne, increased soil bulk density and penetration resistance mostly in topsoil in all investigated compaction treatments. Next year treatments showed higher barley yields and lower penetration resistance after lupine growing than after oil rape or barley. As the effect of deep-rooted plants growing on soil properties will appear in next year by growing next culture, when the roots are decayed, the further experiments are needed to find out convenient culture to eliminate subsoil compaction.