Kudzu Vs Lobata

In 1876, the infamous Pueraria montana var. lobata (Kudzu) was introduced to the United States from Japan at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Member of the Fabaceae (pea) family, the Kudzu was believed to be the miracle plant of the south. Its purpose was to assist with decreasing soil erosion. The government paid farmers to plant this “miracle plant”. In the 1950’s it was recognized as a pest weed and was removed from the list of acceptable species. In 1998, the United States congress declared it a federal noxious weed. Today, it is considered one of the top ten most invasive species worldwide. Kudzu is able to grow in a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions, making it extremely versatile, giving it
the ability to become an invasive species. The Kudzu has not only impacted biodiversity on the planet but also is believed to be one of the causes of ozone pollution. In addition, Kudzu has economic effects on society. Not only can the Kudzu withstand drought and shade, the vines have the ability to grow up to one foot per day, making it exceedingly difficult to control. The invasive species Pueraria montana var. lobata continues to impact the ozone and economy due to limited effective ways to control the spread.
The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of a balance of several different compounds.
The job of our ozone is to protect the Earth from UV light radiation from the sun. Jonathan E. Hickman, Shiliang Wu, Loretta J. Mickley, and Manuel T. Lerdau (2010) believe that the spread of Kudzu has the potential to raise ozone levels (this would be bad) by the emission of nitric oxide. Hickman and company created a study that observed the effect of kudzu on trace gas emissions in three different places in Georgia. Their study concluded that emissions of nitric oxide in the soils containing Kudzu were over 100% higher than the soil without Kudzu growing in it. According to the model created by Hickman et al. “Our model results suggest that as Kudzu spreads further into these and other areas, the accompanying increase in NO emissions may increase ozone concentrations and the frequency of high ozone events” (Hickman et al. 10118). Their research concluded that Kudzu definitely has an impact on the nitric oxide levels in the soil. Nevertheless, more studies are required in order for it to be definitively determined that Kudzu is in fact raising ozone levels and the true impact of kudzu on air quality. (p.
10115-10119).
Kudzu has not only managed to contribute to ozone pollution, it has economic impacts as well. Irwin N. Forseth, Jr. an Anne F. Innis (2010) estimate that it costs over $136 billion annually to manage Kudzu. Included in that denomination are agricultural losses and control costs. Due to the fact that Kudzu is so invasive and is capable of spreading quickly, it can take over fields quickly. In addition, Kudzu vines are able to strangle out other plant life and block the shade thus causing financial impacts to the forestry industry. In addition, companies must pay for Kudzu to be controlled because it influences business, and can even impact travel. “Railroad companies have to devote resources to controlling P. montana growth over rails, which can result in wheel slippage and derailments” (Forseth et al. 406). Kudzu has to be controlled consistently in order to decrease its effects on society, which costs money. (p. 401-407).
There have been several methods used to control the growth and spread of Kudzu, including the use of herbicides and the naturally occurring fungus Myrothecium verrucaria, but are not the answer to the Kudzu pandemic.
Matthew J. Frye, Judith Hough-Goldstein, and Kathleen A. Kidd (2012) completed a study on different methods of biological control that could be effective in decreasing the biomass of Kudzu. Frye and his colleagues observed the effect of leaf cutting vs shoot cutting on the biomass of kudzu in Delaware and North Carolina. They witnessed over a period of two years that “Above and belowground biomass, total vine length and average internode length were significantly reduced by 75% leaf cutting for plants grown over a single season in Delaware” (Frye et al. 71). The results were also consistent in North Carolina. Frye et al. concluded that when the leaves of the Kudzu are damaged, it inhibits the growth of the invasive species because it cannot get as much light to store and produce carbohydrates. However, one note that the researchers made was that more research should be completed on the effect of leaf-feeding insects on Kudzu growth. (p.
71-75).
Kudzu is one of the most invasive species worldwide. Its individual vines can be as long as 100ft and 1-4 inches in diameter. The vines grow purple flowers that turn into hairy seed pods up to 2 inches long. Kudzu is believed to contribute to the increase in ozone levels. In addition, the invasive vine has costly impacts on the economy. Finally numerous methods such as fungus and herbicides have been used to attempt to control P. montana, however it seems that the most effective way so far is frequent leaf cutting. Pueraria montana var. lobata will continue to have impacts on society until a successful control is discovered.