Weed Research (2008) 48, 394-397

Ch. Newton, Lr. Nelson, Sj. Dewalt, Ea. Mikhailova, Cj. Post, Ma. Schlautman, Sk. Cox, Wc. Bridges and Kc. Hall (2008)
Solarization for the control of Pueraria montana (kudzu)
Weed Research 48 (5), 394-397
Abstract: The effects of translucent polyethylene sheeting as a thermal covering to eradicate Pueraria montana (kudzu) were investigated at Clemson, South Carolina on a clay loam. In 2005, the highest reduction of live root crowns was observed where P. montana was covered for the entire growing season (May-October) with a reduction of 42% of live root crowns compared with the control plots. Where P. montana was covered for alternate weeks throughout the growing season live root crowns were reduced by 35%. Covering P. montana for one week and then uncovering for four weeks repeatedly through the season killed 24% of root crowns. In 2006, the second year of treatment to the same plots, the three solarization treatments had similar efficacy of about 97%. The use of polyethylene sheeting appears not to be cost-effective for general control of large P. montana infestations, but may be useful for small patches.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pueraria montana (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)