Kudzu: Hate It or Love It

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Anthony Zamora

Ms. Parsons

BIO 102-040

8 February 2011

Kudzu: Hate It or Love It

In the past 100 years a great amount of weedy vascular plants has been introduced

globally. Several among these exotic species have begun to seriously threaten the existence of

native vegetation in many plant communities (Rosen 82). Pueraria montana, better known as

kudzu, was introduced from Asia in 1876 (Brink 1942). It was highly esteemed for its ability tocontrol soil erosion, provide food for livestock, and rejuvenate soil fertility. With kudzus

stupendous growth rate and twisty climbing habits, however, kudzu is extremely tough to keep

under control. Kudzu is now considered to be a major problem as it kills trees and shrubs and

suppresses natural regeneration. Also, kudzu is noted to be an economic problem, as it has taken

over many acres of valuable timberland.

Kudzu is a deep rooted, perennial, leguminous vine with stems that may reach more than

seventy feet in a single growing season. Under ideal soil conditions the roots may penetrate up to

three feet deep or more, and roots as deep as six feet have been found (Rosen 1982). Kudzu

grows most efficiently in the humid Southeast, but it will grow reasonably well in the Southwest

when irrigated.

Kudzu was strongly promoted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the 1930s

and 1940s. This plant was known to grow sprucely in unfavored conditions, produce a dense

ground cover to protect the surface of the soil, rejuvenate the fertility of eroded areas, protect

highway banks, maintain itself without replanting, and provide food for livestock (Rosen 1982).


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During the time kudzu was introduced, soil erosion had become prominent in the south due to

poor agricultural practices. Kudzu was not considered a pest by early writers. Most authors felt

that kudzu could be easily eradicated by fire, plowing, or overgrazing. In a 1942 article Brink

stated, Southern farming needs kudzu and more kudzu, needs it quickly and in quantity.

Kudzu is now recognized as a seriously harmful weed. Kudzu inhibits the growth of new

tree seedlings and can cover trees eighty feet tall (Rosen 1982). Recent investigations in 2010

have led authors to believe that nitric oxide emissions from kudzu may be increasing ozone

pollution (Kudzu goes from bad to worse). In an extreme scenario, extensive kudzu invasion

leads directly to an increase in the number of high ozone events (above seventy ppb) of up toseven days each summer in some areas, up from ten to twenty days in a control scenario with no

kudzu invasion (Hickman and Wu 2010).

Treatment techniques include fire, grazing, herbicides, and mechanical treatment. The

most effective herbicide known is Tordon (picloram). This herbicide is non-selective and

eliminates all broadleaf plants, including trees, and stays active in the soil for approximately one

year (Rosen 1982). According to Robertson, grazing has been determined to be effective and

economical (1971). All kudzu was virtually eliminated from a 500 acre tract in three seasons of

grazing. Spot treatments of herbicide were needed to kill the few remaining vines. A

disadvantage to grazing is that it is almost impossible on steep slopes. Fire has been mentioned

as a dependable pre-treatment to help with herbicide treatment. Since kudzu reproduces mainly

vegetatively, new runners would grow quickly from the unharmed crowns (Rosen 1982).

So, as we have seen, the kudzu plant that was once thought to be a savior, has now turned

into quite a menace. Though animals can graze on it, the United States lacks a genuine natural

predator for kudzu. I believe that introducing a natural predator of kudzu into the United States


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Works Cited

Brink, W. Kudzu - a member of tattered lands. Better Crops with Plant Food. 26.1 (1942)

10-13.

Gjerstad, D.H., Ziska, L.H., Runion, G.B., Prior, S.A., Torbert III, H.A., Rogers Jr, H.H. 2006.

The Potential Use of Kudzu as a Biofuel. Alternative Energy Solutions from Alabama's

Natural Resources Conference. Web. 5 February 2011.

Hickman, Jonathan E. and Shiliang Wu. Kudzu (Pueraria montana) invasion doubles emissions

of nitric oxide and increases ozone pollution. Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences. 107.22 (2010) 10115-10119.Kudzu goes from bad to worse. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 107.22

(2010) 9917-9918.

Robertson, W.J. How we controlled kudzu. Forest Farmer. 30.13 (1971) 8-9, 18.

Rosen, Aaron. Feasibility Study: The Eradication of Kudzu with Herbicides and Revegetation

with Native Tree Species in Two National Parks . U.S. Department of the Interior,

National Park Service, Research/Resources Management Report SER_59.

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Kudzu: Hate It or Love It