FIELD: agriculture. SUBSTANCE: method involves mowing out sprouts and stems of accompanying plants above ground in natural brushwoods associations; cutting off surface soil layer containing root necks and rootstock; digging and extracting roots; separating root soil layers. Cutting of surface soil layers is conducted by rotavation for 0.015-0.035 depth at continuous movement of harvesting machine and digging of root layers is performed along perimeter of rectangular area having size of 0.4 x 1.1 m for depth at which 80-90% of basic biological root mass is positioned. Commercial grade roots are extracted from root layer by delivering blows from below at soil layer lifted from ditch. Root layer is located in ditch so as to provide initial positioning of genetic layers. Machine has main frame 1 carrying undercutting member 7, extracting member 10 and its drive, disk cutters 6, auxiliary frame, and cylinder 9 with knives and drive. Cylinder 9 is arranged between undercutting and extracting members 7, 10. EFFECT: increased yield of high-grade roots, reduced power consumption and increased efficiency in protecting soil of harvested area from wind and water erosion. 13 cl, 3 dwg
