Kudzu (Pueraria montana)

Datasheet

Description

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Kudzu kills trees by shading them and spreads inexorably

Common names

Kudzu [English]; puerarie, puéraire, vigne japonaise [French]; sắn dây rừng, đậu ma núi [Vietnamese]; كودزو [Arabic]; 칡 [Korean]; クズ [Japanese]; Пуэра́рия до́льчатая, Пуэрария ло́пастная, кудзу [Russian]; 葛 [Chinese]

Species

Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. [Fabaceae]

Synonyms

Dolichos hirsutus Thunb., Dolichos lobatus Willd., Dolichos montanus Lour., Glycine javanica L., Neustanthus chinensis Benth., Pachyrhizus thunbergianus Siebold & Zucc., Pueraria hirsuta (Thunb.) Matsum., Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, Pueraria lobata var. chinensis (Benth.) Ohwi, Pueraria lobata var. montana (Lour.) Maesen, Pueraria lobata var. thomsonii (Benth.) Maesen, Pueraria montana var. chinensis auct., Pueraria omeiensis F. T. Wang & Tang, nom. nud., Pueraria pseudohirsuta Tang & F. T. Wang, nom. nud., Pueraria thomsonii Benth., Pueraria thunbergiana (Siebold & Zucc.) Benth., Pueraria tonkinensis Gagnep., Pueraria triloba (Houtt.) Makino (USDA, 2009)

Related feed(s)

Description

Kudzu (Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr.) is a perennial climbing, trailing vine legume with stems up to 30 m long and oblong tubers up to 2 m long and 45 cm in diameter. Leaves are trifoliate, leaflets are ovate (8-26 cm long x 5-22 cm broad) with a hairy lower surface (Praptiwi, 1999). The inflorescence is a pending pseudoraceme up to 35 cm long. Flowers are purple-red with a yellow spot near the base (FAO, 2009). Fruits are hairy pods 5 to 7.5 cm long that contain hard-coated seeds.

Kudzu leaves are an edible vegetable in Asia. Tubers are sometimes considered as famine food in South-East Asia and are also used to prepare a culinary starch. Kudzu is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Distribution

Kudzu is native to several Asian countries (India, Indochina, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia) and to Pacific Islands and Australia. It was introduced to South America and Southern United States, Africa, Central Asia, Ukraine and Caucasus in the late 18^th century (USDA, 2009).

Kudzu thrives in warm, moist climates but is also tolerant of frost (FAO, 2009) and can be found at altitudes up to 2000 m (Praptiwi, 1999). It grows best on moist, well drained soils but can withstand drought if well established.

Environmental impact

Within its native area, kudzu is mostly considered to be a beneficial species. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen and its deep taproots bring mineral nutrients from the subsoil to the topsoil, thus enhancing soil fertility. It is used as green manure, as well as anti-erosion cover on hillslopes. In the Central Amazon Basin, it has been reported to improve soil pore space in heavy clays (Chauvel et al., 1991).

In the Southern United States and Canada, due to near-perfect soil conditions, kudzu has become a noxious weed that is difficult to eradicate. Kudzu invasions have negative effects on air quality. Kudzu increases net N-mineralization by 1000% in the soil and nitric oxide emissions from soils by 100% thus leading to higher ozone concentrations in the air (Hickman et al., 2010).

Heavy grazing is an interesting way to control the spread of kudzu (Praptiwi, 1999).

Nutritional aspects

Potential constraints

While it has medicinal uses, no toxicity has been reported in livestock.

Ruminants

Kudzu forage is highly palatable and is a good feedstuff for cattle and small ruminants (Hayashi et al., 2006; Gill et al., 1968). It can be grazed, cut for cut-and-carry feeding systems or mixed with grass to make good quality silage. Forage yield is about 5t/ha/year when grown on fertile soil (Praptiwi, 1999). Its overall chemical composition (tubers, stems and foliage) and digestion characteristics are comparable to other commonly fed forages (Corley et al., 1997). Moreover, nutrient disappearance rate in the rumen and intestinal availability of rumen undegradable nutrients are high and make it a valuable feedstuff for dairy cows (Kim et al., 1995).

In goats, it is reported to support 160 g body weight gain/animal/day (Woldeghebriel et al., 1992).

Pigs

Kudzu forage can be a good substitute for alfalfa hay in swine (Massey et al., 1946 cited by Corley et al., 1997).

Poultry

Kudzu forage can be a good substitute for alfalfa hay in poultry (Polk et al., 1945 cited by Corley et al., 1997). It was also reported to be a valuable green feed for poultry during dry periods (Bailey et al., 1931).

Rabbits

Kudzu forage can be included in rabbit diets that contain energy sources such as cassava, sorghum or cottonseed meal (Silva et al., 1991; Bhatt et al., 2001).

Nutritional tables

Tables of chemical composition and nutritional value

Avg: average or predicted value; SD: standard deviation; Min: minimum value; Max: maximum value; Nb: number of values (samples) used

Kudzu, aerial part, fresh

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	26.5	5.5	17.4	35.0	8
Crude protein	% DM	15.1	5.1	8.3	24.3	14
Crude fibre	% DM	33.1	5.2	22.6	40.6	10
NDF	% DM	53.9	2.9	50.6	55.8	3
ADF	% DM	30.7	9.4	17.3	39.7	5
Lignin	% DM	7.8	1.4	6.1	9.0	4
Ether extract	% DM	2.4	0.6	1.5	3.3	10
Ash	% DM	9.3	2.6	5.6	13.6	11
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	18.5					*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	12.3	6.3	6.2	26.4	11
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	2.4	0.6	1.9	4.1	12
Potassium	g/kg DM	13.2	7.4	1.9	27.7	8
Sodium	g/kg DM	0.3				1
Magnesium	g/kg DM	3.3	0.6	2.6	4.2	8

Amino acids	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Arginine	% protein	4.0				1
Cystine	% protein	1.1				1
Glycine	% protein	4.5				1
Histidine	% protein	2.7				1
Isoleucine	% protein	3.9				1
Leucine	% protein	6.7				1
Lysine	% protein	4.4				1
Methionine	% protein	1.8				1
Phenylalanine	% protein	4.2				1
Threonine	% protein	4.2				1
Tryptophan	% protein	2.4				1
Tyrosine	% protein	3.3				1
Valine	% protein	4.5				1

Secondary metabolites	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Tannins (eq. tannic acid)	g/kg DM	0.0				1
Tannins, condensed (eq. catechin)	g/kg DM	0.0				1

Ruminant nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant	%	62.0					*
Energy digestibility, ruminants	%	59.3					*
DE ruminants	MJ/kg DM	11.0					*
ME ruminants	MJ/kg DM	8.7					*
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants	%	85.0				1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Bhatt et al., 2001; CGIAR, 2009; CIRAD, 1991; Corley et al., 1997; Gaulier, 1968; Gill et al., 1968; Muir, 2002

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:13

Kudzu hay

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Crude protein	% DM	13.3				1
Crude fibre	% DM	40.3				1
Ether extract	% DM	2.5				1
Ash	% DM	9.3				1
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	18.7					*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	18.3				1
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	1.0				1

Ruminant nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant	%	55.1					*
Energy digestibility, ruminants	%	51.7					*
DE ruminants	MJ/kg DM	9.7					*
ME ruminants	MJ/kg DM	7.7					*
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants	%	65.6				1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Van Wyk et al., 1951

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:13

Kudzu leaves, fresh

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Crude protein	% DM	17.2	2.5	14.5	19.6	3
Crude fibre	% DM	29.6		21.5	37.6	2
NDF	% DM	48.1				1
ADF	% DM	38.2				1
Ether extract	% DM	3.3		2.6	3.9	2
Ash	% DM	8.1	0.3	7.8	8.3	3
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	18.7					*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	10.9		7.0	14.8	2
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	1.1				1
Potassium	g/kg DM	14.7		10.0	19.3	2
Sodium	g/kg DM	0.6				1
Magnesium	g/kg DM	2.7		2.5	3.0	2
Manganese	mg/kg DM	438				1
Zinc	mg/kg DM	27				1
Copper	mg/kg DM	10				1
Iron	mg/kg DM	162				1

Ruminant nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant	%	65.6					*
Energy digestibility, ruminants	%	62.8					*
DE ruminants	MJ/kg DM	11.8					*
ME ruminants	MJ/kg DM	9.4					*

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Anon., 1934; CIRAD, 1991; Corley et al., 1997

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:13

Kudzu tubers

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Crude protein	% DM	8.6				1
NDF	% DM	39.8				1
ADF	% DM	53.3				1
Ash	% DM	4.3				1

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	4.0				1
Potassium	g/kg DM	3.0				1
Magnesium	g/kg DM	1.0				1
Iron	mg/kg DM	3600				1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Corley et al., 1997

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:15

References

Anon., 1934. Analyses of Rhodesian foodstuffs. Rhodesia agric. J., 31: 651-658
Bailey, R. Y. ; Mayton, E. L., 1931. Kudzu in Alabama. Agricultural Experimental Station of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute
Bhatt, R. S. ; Sharma, S. R., 2001. Replacement of soyflakes with cottonseed meal in diets of Angora rabbits. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 14 (8): 1106-1109
CGIAR, 2009. SSA Feeds - Sub-saharan Africa feed composition database. CGIAR Systemwide Livestock Programme
Chauvel, A. ; Grimaldi, M. ; Tessier, D., 1991. Changes in soil pore-space distribution following deforestation and revegetation: An example from the Central Amazon Basin, Brazil. For. Ecol. Manage. 38 (3-4): 259-271
Corley, R. N. ; Woldeghebriel, A. ; Murphy, M. R., 1997. Evaluation of the nutritive value of kudzu (Pueraria lobata) as a feed for ruminants. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 68 (1-2): 183-188
FAO, 2009. Grassland Index. A searchable catalogue of grass and forage legumes. FAO, Rome, Italy
Gaulier, R., 1968. Composition en acides-aminés des principales légumineuses fourragères de Madagascar. Rev. Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays Trop., 21: 103-112
Gill, R. S. ; Negi, S. S., 1968. Nutritive values of Phalaris tuberosa and Pueraria thumbergiana (kudzu) evaluated on ram lambs as sole feeds and in combination. J. Research, Punjab Agricultural University, 5 (3, Suppl.): 30-35
Hayashi, K. ; Ikeda, K. ; Ueda, A. ; Fumita, T. ; Etoh, T. ; Gotoh, T., 2006. Short-term response of vegetation to cattle grazing in an abandoned orchard in Southwestern Japan. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 19 (4): 514-520
Hickman, J.E. ; Wu, S. ; Mickley, L.J. ; Lerdau, M.T., 2010. Kudzu (Pueraria montana) invasion doubles emissions of nitric oxide and increases ozone pollution. PNAS
Kang, H. S. ; Yoo, S. H. ; Lee, H. G. ; Na, J. Y., 1994. In situ degradability of legumes and grasses suspended in the rumen of dairy cow. 1. In situ dry matter and organic matter disappearance rates of legumes and grasses [in dairy cows] fed high and low energy diets. Korean J. Dairy Sci., 16 (4): 303-315
Kang, H. S. ; Yoo, S. H. ; Lee, H. G. ; Na, J. Y., 1994. In situ degradability of legumes and grasses suspended in the rumen of dairy cow. 2. In situ crude protein disappearance rate and N content of in situ residues after chitinase treatment of legumes and grasses [in dairy cows] fed high and low energy diets. Korean J. Dairy Sci., 16 (4): 316-325
Kim, B. K. ; Moon, Y. H. ; Lee, S. C. ; Lee, S. S. ; Kang, H. S., 1995. Evaluation of nutrient degradabilities of Robinia pseudoacacia, Pueraria thunbergiana and Lespedeza bicolor in the rumen and lower tract of dairy cows. Korean J. Dairy Sci., 17 (2): 77-89
Massey, Z. A. ; Fisher, S.W., 1946. Preliminary report of green grazing versus hays for fattening swine. Georgia Experiment Station, University System of Georgia, Circular 152, pp. 1-4
Mejias, R. ; Michelena, J. B. ; Ruiz, T. E. ; Cino, D. M. ; Gonzalez, M. E. ; Albelo, N., 2003. Rearing system of female cattle, in the calf stage, with the utilization of legumes. Cuban J. Agric. Sci., 37 (3): 249-254
Polk, H. D. ; Gieger, M., 1945. Kudzu in the ration of growing chicks. Agricultural Experiment Station Mississippi State College, Miss. Bull., 414: 1-14
Praptiwi, 1999. Kudzu (Lour.) Merr.. Recod from Proseabase. de Padua, L.S., Bunyapraphatsara, N. and Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia
Sharma, D. D. ; Gill, R. S., 1968. Nutritive value of Palampur hay. Evaluation as a sole feed and in combination with Pueraria thumbergiana (kudzu). J. Research, Punjab Agricultural University, 5 (3, Suppl.): 98-102
Silva, S. L. ; Quintero de Vallejo, V., 1991. Evaluation of kudzu Pueraria montana supplemented with two energy sources of sorghum, cassava meal and vitamin mineral premix for rabbits during the finisher phase. Acta Agronomica, 41 (1/4): 133-137
USDA, 2009. GRIN - Germplasm Resources Information Network. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland
Van Wyk, H. P. D. ; Oosthuizen, S. A. ; Basson, I. D., 1951. The nutritive value of South African feeds. Part II. Hay and Pasture Crops. Union of South Africa. Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Science Bulletin No. 298
Woldeghebriel, A. ; Corley, R. N. ; Murphy, M. R., 1992. Rotational grazing model of goats on kudzu-infested forestland. Land reclamation: advances in research & technology. Proceedings of the International Symposium 14-15 December 1992 Nashville, Tennessee.: 50-58

Datasheet citation

Heuzé V., Tran G., 2015. Kudzu (Pueraria montana). Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://feedipedia.org/node/258 Last updated on May 11, 2015, 14:31

English correction by Tim Smith (Animal Science consultant) and Hélène Thiollet (AFZ)

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Kudzu (Pueraria montana)