Effects of Sod-culture on the Soil Properties in Apple-alfalfa System

Abstract

It is important to understand the influence of sod-culture on orchard soil. In this study, the physical and chemical properties of the sod-culture’s soil of the apple-alfalfa of four-year old was studied. The results showed: the bulk density of the soil decreased by 5.61% and the total porosity increased by 6.38%; the sod culture played an important role in the transformation of the soil’s large conglomeration. The soil aggregate with a diameter of 0.25mm-2mm at 0cm-20cm of the soil surface was reduced by 3.6% compared with the control; the grain diameter greater than 0.25mm of each layer at soil surface of 20cm-60cm in the sod-culture orchard was higher 5.5% than that of monoculture. The soil pH decreased by 0.2, showing that the orchard sod-culture could adjust the soil pH to be neutral. This study provides an important reference for orchard soil management.