Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana)

Local name: Kudzu

Kudzu is a rapidly growing  perennial legume when once established it is difficult to remove from land. Normally it is being used by soil conservation department  to  prevent  soil  erosion  in  the  hilly regions. It has an excellent coverage. Best adapted to a warm, moist climate but, because of the stored plant food in the roots, can withstand protracted drought when once established. Kudzu is a fast- growing plant and produces long, prostrate branches which root at many of the joints if the soil is moist and  contact  good.  New  plants  are established in this manner. It takes one year to establish. Quite a useful  forage,  retaining  its  palatability  throughout the growing  season, but new pasture legumes are likely to replace it for grazing purposes. Two cuttings can be taken in a year. It contains 20-22% protein. Observations showed that it is not highly palatable to livestock.