Kudzu Response to Foliar Applied Herbicides

Abstract

Chemical control is presently the most cost-effective means to control kudzu; however, some of the herbicides labeled for kudzu control have substantial non-target toxicity, poor selectivity, high cost, long soil persistence, high soil mobility and/or high use rates. The present study evaluated other herbicides for efficacy in suppressing aboveground kudzu biomass in replicated field trials at three sites over two years. A single application of aminopyralid, triclopyr or metsulfuron resulted in at least 90% kudzu suppression in the following season at two locations. After a second year of treatment those herbicides and fluroxypyr produced at least 90% kudzu suppression, and 100% kudzu control was reached on some test plots. Glyphosate, glufosinate and mesotrione were less effective in controlling kudzu. Given the rapid growth potential of kudzu, complete eradication should be pursued. None of the herbicides evaluated in the present study could reliably achieve eradication of mature kudzu with two applications, so additional control efforts would be required.