• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2011

This study was carried out to provide recent information on zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) sod production in Japan. Total zoysiagrass sod production acreage in Japan was 6,623 ha. The acreage by prefecture was 3,900 ha (58.9%) in Ibalaki, 779 ha (11.8%) in Tostoli, 609 ha (9.2%) in Kagosima, and 550 ha (8.3%) in Sijeumoka, respectively. Sod was harvested by 1.5 cm sod thickness. Mowing height of Goraisiba (Zoysia matrella) and Nosiba (Zoysia japonica) cultivars was cut by 10 mm and 25 mm height, respectively. Japan agricultural cooperative issued a warranty of sod production quality to zoysiagrass consumers. A quality evaluation for sod production was carried out continuously to maintain a reasonable degree of uniformity and hight quality of sod production three times a year. Also, zosiagrass sod production was rotated with Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. glabra Regel) for improving fertility of soil every five to six years. Patented cultivars for promoting bland in Ibaraki prefecture of Japan were 'Tsukuba himae', 'Tsukuba kagayaki', 'Tsukuba Talou' and 'Tsukuba green'.