Fundamentals of Horticulture (2+1)

Sod Culture

• In this system, in the space between trees, grasses are allowed to grow without tillage or mulching.
• Sometimes cover is mixed with grasses to improve fertility such as grasses are simply mowed and the surface is kept neat and tidy.
• This system is commonly followed in temperate region of Europe and America for apple and pear orchards and does not exist in tropical and subtropical region of India due to scarcity of available nutrients and soil moisture in most part of the year.
• It is the best system for the control of soil erosion and maintenance of soil organic matter and soil structure.
• In this case manures and fertilizers are not applied individually to trees but provided with sod allover the field and the system is satisfactory for deep rooted crops.

Modifications in Sod System

1. Grasses are allowed to grow without cutting is not desirable because organic matter is lost.
2. Grasses are grown cut as required and removed for making hay not desirable because organic matter is lost here also.
3. Grasses are grown cut and left behind to decompose.
4. Grasses are grown and pastured i.e., animals are allowed to graze.
5. Temporary sod. Sod is allowed for two years or so, then soil is ploughed, cultivated and sod is reseeded.
6. Sod is not being followed in India due to lack of cool and moist weather.
7. Lack of aeration, rat holes in sod prove harmful and trees die.
8. Nutrient deficiency is also common especially of potassium.