Publication Date
1997
Description
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi.), a vigorous, perennial warmseason legume, is considered a weed in the southern United States. It is tolerant of drought and low soil fertility and has potential as a low-input forage for livestock production. A field experiment tested effects of cutting date on yield and nutritive value of an unimproved stand of kudzu (10-15 yr old) in central Georgia. Yield measurements were made in June, July, September, and November, 1994, with forage samples taken to determine quality parameters. Soil fertility was unaffected by cutting treatment. Whole plant and leaf dry matter (DM) production and crude protein (CP) were similar for the 3 summer harvests and lower (P<0.05) in a final harvest taken after a killing frost. Whole plant and stem in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) declined throughout the growing season, while leaf IVDMD remained the same (546-579 kg/ha) up until first frost. Kudzu has potential as a low-input forage for livestock in its zone of adaptation.
Citation
Terrill, T H.; Gelaye, S; Mahotiere, S; Amoah, E A.; Miller, S; and Windham, W R., "Cutting Date Effects of Yield and Quality of Unimproved Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi.)" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 75.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session22/75
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Cutting Date Effects of Yield and Quality of Unimproved Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi.)
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi.), a vigorous, perennial warmseason legume, is considered a weed in the southern United States. It is tolerant of drought and low soil fertility and has potential as a low-input forage for livestock production. A field experiment tested effects of cutting date on yield and nutritive value of an unimproved stand of kudzu (10-15 yr old) in central Georgia. Yield measurements were made in June, July, September, and November, 1994, with forage samples taken to determine quality parameters. Soil fertility was unaffected by cutting treatment. Whole plant and leaf dry matter (DM) production and crude protein (CP) were similar for the 3 summer harvests and lower (P<0.05) in a final harvest taken after a killing frost. Whole plant and stem in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) declined throughout the growing season, while leaf IVDMD remained the same (546-579 kg/ha) up until first frost. Kudzu has potential as a low-input forage for livestock in its zone of adaptation.
