Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Pueraria phaseoloides; tropical kudzu

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

y

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

n

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

y

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

y

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

17

Source

Notes

1.01

no evidence

1.02

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Pueraria+phaseoloides (14 February 2003)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Guangdong, Guangxi; Hong Kong; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei; Cambodia; India; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Vietnam
Pacific: Solomon Islands
Other:  naturalized elsewhere

1.03

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.
). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

Cultivars: At present there is only the one commercial line available in Australia. Cultivar IAC in Brazil has been reported by Souto (1969) to be more heat-tolerant than other types.

2.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Pueraria+phaseoloides (14 February 2003)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Guangdong, Guangxi; Hong Kong; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei; Cambodia; India; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Vietnam
Pacific: Solomon Islands
Other:  naturalized elsewhere

2.02

2.03

(1)Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.
). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm> (2)http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/pastures/4573.html (3)Adams, C.D. 1972. Flowering plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona.

(1)Altitude range:
Essentially a plant of low altitudes, it generally grows below 600 m, but in Tanzania it reaches 1 000 m and in Colombia 2 000 m (Crowder, 1960). Altitudes above 1 200 m are too high in Kenya. (2)Puero is a tropical species requiring a long reliable wet season with at least 1200-1500 mm of rainfall and no regular dry season. (3)Damp roadside and riverside thickets; 20-200 feet

2.04

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Pueraria+phaseoloides (14 February 2003)

Distributional range:
Native:
Asia-Temperate: China - Guangdong, Guangxi; Hong Kong; Taiwan
Asia-Tropical: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei; Cambodia; India; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Vietnam
Pacific: Solomon Islands
Other:  naturalized elsewhere

2.05

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros. ). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"Distribution: It is native to south-east Asia Malaysia and Indonesia and is now widespread throughout the wet tropics. "

3.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Pueraria+phaseoloides (14 February 2003)

"naturalized elsewhere"

3.02

no evidence

3.03

(1)Brazil, Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau (1983) Project biology and control of weeds. [FT: Projeto biologia e controle de plantas daninhas.] Informe técnico, CEPEC 1982., 1983, pp.73-77 (2)Eradication of potentially invasive plants with limited distributions in the Galapagos Islands
Soria, M., M. Gardener and A. Tye
Available at: <http://www.issg.org/ConfAbstracts.html> [http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi] (3)http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/plantinfo/Puerariaphaseoloides.pdf

(1)"control of Pueraria phaseoloides with 2,4-D and MCPA" (2)"Pueraria phaseoloides, a known invasive vine, was recently introduced and has a limited distribution. It has not been seen again since it was treated in 1997. " [ 'Listed as a noxious weed in Hawaii]. (3)it may need to be grazed or otherwise controlled to keep it from becoming a pest.

3.04

seems to be primarily a weed in agriculture and disturbed land.

3.05

Forest Starr, Kim Martz and Lloyd Loope, United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division. Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) An Alien Plant Report.
Avaialble at: <http://www.hear.org/species/reports/puelob_fskm_awwa_report.pdf>

"Noxious weed acts: Kudzu(Pueraria lobata) was recognized as a pest weed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and, in 1953, was removed from its list of permissible cover plants. In 1970, the USDA began listing kudzu as a common weed in the south. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council featured kudzu in their list of Florida's most invasive species in 1997."

4.01

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.
Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm> http://www.hear.org/pier/pupha.htm

[No evidence of such structures ']

4.02

Casini, P.; Olivero, L. (2001) Allelopathic effects of legume cover crops on cogon grass (Imperata brasiliensis Trin.). Allelopathy Journal, 2001, Vol.8, No.2, pp.189-200, 21 ref.

AB: "The seed leachates of velvetbean and kudzu had little effect on germination of cogon grass."; "extracts of shoot residues of all cover crops promoted the germination of cogon grass."

4.03

no evidence

4.04

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"It is very palatable when selectively grazed. "

4.05

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.  Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"Feeding value: It is a valuable fodder plant and has given excellent results in the wet tropics."

4.06

Bernon, G.; Graves, R. C. (1979) An outbreak of the oil palm leaf miner beetle in Ghana with reference to a new alternate host for its parasite complex. Environmental Entomology, 1979, Vol.8, No.1, pp.108-112, 24 ref.

AB: "Coelaenomenodera elaeidis Mlk. has become a major pest throughout West Africa. Platypria coronata (Guer.) was also endemic to the plantation and was found to feed on Pueraria phaseoloides, a cover crop planted under the palms."

4.07

no evidence

4.08

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/pastures/4573.html

- 'Puero is a tropical species requiring a long reliable wet season with at least 1200-1500 mm of rainfall and no regular dry season; it will grow through a mild winter but will drop its leaf if the temperature falls below 10°C.' [unlikely fire hazard, wet environments]

4.09

(1)Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm> (2)http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/plantinfo/Puerariaphaseoloides.pdf

(1)"It tolerates partial shading, such as the edges of rain forests and in plantation crops such as coconuts. In Sri Lanka, it is the best legume under coconuts, growing with Brachiaria miliiformis (cori grass), but the trees should be at least 25 years old to provide enough light at ground level, with 150 to 180 trees/ha. " (2)It is also tolerant of acid soil and shade.

4.1

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"Soil requirements: Has a wide range in soil adaptability, from sands to clays, although it does not grow well in tight heavy clays. "

4.11

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros. ). Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"Vigorous twining and climbing, slightly woody, hairy perennial legume"

4.12

no evidence

5.01

terrestrial

5.02

Fabaceae

5.03

Zaharah, A. R.; Sharifuddin, H. A. H.; Razley, M. N.; Mohd Saidi, A. K. (1986) Measurement of nitrogen fixed by Pueraria phaseoloides by N-15 dilution technique. Pertanika, 1986, Vol.9, No.1, pp.45-49, 12 ref.

AB: "The amounts of total N fixed by Pueraria depended on the proportion of legumes in the sward; at 0-40% legumes, the total N fixed by Pueraria was 9.20 kg/ha over 3 months and increased to 22.34 and 37.80 kg/ha over 3 months at 41-60% and 61-80%, resp. Total N fixed in 3 months with 81-100% legumes was 22.73 kg/ha. The max. amount of N fixed by Pueraria occurred in the mixture containing about 80% legumes." [NOT WOODY]

5.04

http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/plantinfo/Puerariaphaseoloides.pdf

The tuberous roots are edible.

6.01

no evidence

6.02

hi HePing; Tao ShaoBiao (2001) Dormancy and germination of trilobed leaf kudzu vine seeds. Plant Physiology Communications, 2001, Vol.37, No.1, pp.29-30, 6 ref.

AB: " Seed germination is very difficult; the germination rate of mature seeds is zero. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of low temperature, kinetin (KT) and scarification on dormancy and germination. After low temperature (4 deg C) storage for 6 months, germination rate was 20% and that of seeds soaked with 20 mg kinetin/litre (KT) reached 75%. Scarification increased germination rate and when used together with soaking in 20 mg KT/litre, the germination rate reached 95%. The seed coat and kernel contain substances inhibitory to germination.Testa impermeability and the presence of inhibitors in the kernel were considered to be the main factors responsible for dormancy of kudzu vine seeds."

6.03

no evidence

6.04

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros. Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

Self-fertile; chromosome number 2n = 22

6.05

http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/book/chap4/kudzu.html

no evidence [Bees are the only insects mentioned as pollinators of kudzu P.lobata. - Probably the same is true for the congener P. phaseoloides; same floral morphology].  

6.06

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.  Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"Spreads mainly by runners and in this way colonizes widely on suitable soils with adequate rainfall. "

6.07

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.  Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

"A short-day plant; it flowers about 180 days from seeding in north Queensland, and in 126 days in the Kimberley district of north Australia"

7.01

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Pueraria+phaseoloides (14 February 2003)

"Weed: potential seed contaminant"

7.02

a forage and fallow pllant

7.03

no evidence

7.04

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros.   Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

The pod is straight, or slightly curved, linear, cylindrical, 7.5 to 8.5 cm long, thinly clothed with stiff adpressed hairs, black when mature and containing 10 to 20 (usually about 16) seeds, oblong to squarish with rounded corners, brown to brownish black, about 3 mm

7.05

no evidence

7.06

no evidence

7.07

no evidence

7.08

legume seed with hard seed coat

8.01

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros. Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

Number of seeds per kg: 81,400 to 88,000.
Seed yield: Yields are often affected by the legume pod borer. With full insect control, 330 kg./ha can be obtained by hand harvesting.
[equals to 2686-2904 seed per square meter, assuming no insect damage]

8.02

hi HePing; Tao ShaoBiao (2001) Dormancy and germination of trilobed leaf kudzu vine seeds. Plant Physiology Communications, 2001, Vol.37, No.1, pp.29-30, 6 ref.

AB: " Seed germination is very difficult; the germination rate of mature seeds is zero. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of low temperature, kinetin (KT) and scarification on dormancy and germination. After low temperature (4 deg C) storage for 6 months, germination rate was 20% and that of seeds soaked with 20 mg kinetin/litre (KT) reached 75%. Scarification increased germination rate and when used together with soaking in 20 mg KT/litre, the germination rate reached 95%. The seed coat and kernel contain substances inhibitory to germination.Testa impermeability and the presence of inhibitors in the kernel were considered to be the main factors responsible for dormancy of kudzu vine seeds."

8.03

Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros. Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm>

Hopkinson and Breitenstein (1969) found that 2 kg. acid equivalent/ha of MCPA killed the runners of puero.

8.04

(1)Grassland Index. (The basic information in this index has been taken from two FAO publications "Tropical Grasses" (1990) by Skerman, P.J. and F. Riveros and "Tropical Forage Legumes" (1988) by Skerman, P.J., Cameron, D.G. and F. Riveros. Available at: <http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm> (2)http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/plantinfo/Puerariaphaseoloides.pdf

(1)"sensitivity to overgrazing and fire" (2)it can be cut repeatedly once established. It grows so well, in fact, that it may need to be grazed or otherwise controlled to keep it from becoming a pest. Usually it is grazed on site in mixed pastures, but it can also be cut for hay, silage, or fresh stall forage.

8.05

http://www.echonet.org/tropicalag/plantinfo/Puerariaphaseoloides.pdf

Tropical kudzu is remarkably free from diseases and pests, although leaf-eating caterpillars can damage ungrazed sections and pod-borers may reduce seed production.