• Pueraria javanica cover crop seeds by KudzuSeeds
  • Pueraria javanica tropical kudzu legume
  • PJ cover crop erosion control on slopes
  • Pueraria javanica established plantation ground cover
  • PJ legume nitrogen fixation benefits
  • Pueraria javanica rapid soil stabilization
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Kudzu Seeds Trading

Pueraria javanica (PJ)

Pueraria javanica (PJ)

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Bulk & wholesale supply — pricing on request.

Pueraria javanica (PJ), also called tropical kudzu or mani-mani, is a fast-growing tropical legume cover crop for rubber, coconut, oil palm and banana. It fixes nitrogen up to about 250 kg N/ha/year at full ground cover, forms dense ground cover quickly, and sharply reduces erosion (up to 88% less runoff in replanted rubber). Kudzu Seeds Trading supplies PJ seed (germination-tested, ISPM 7 and BPI phytosanitary certification) for the Philippines and export.

PLANT CHARACTER

Fast-growing, trailing to twining annual/short-lived perennial legume. Forms a dense, self-regenerating ground cover under rubber, coconut, and banana plantation canopies. Deep root system contributes to subsoil moisture access and nutrient cycling across tropical plantation conditions.

USES
Nitrogen fixation, erosion control, soil moisture retention, potassium cycling, weed suppression, and cover crop for replanting phases. Field research confirms Pueraria javanica can fix up to 250 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year, with 85-93% of that nitrogen drawn directly from the atmosphere at full ground cover. In replanted rubber, a legume cover including Pueraria reduced runoff by 88% and soil loss by 98% versus bare soil (Perron et al., 2024). See how PJ compares to other species in our five-species cover crop comparison.

GROWTH HABIT
Vigorous establishment under full sun and moderate shade. In Zamboanga Peninsula trials (Department of Agriculture Region 9), Pueraria javanica produced 14,347 kg of fresh biomass per hectare at 150 days after planting. Biomass decomposes at 95.66% within 3 months, releasing 3.572% N, 0.245% P, and 0.809% K directly back into the root zone.

COCONUT & MULTI-CROP USE
Established as a basin legume in coconut, Pueraria javanica contributes 28.45 kg of biomass and 196.2 g of nitrogen per basin, and can substitute up to 30% of nitrogen fertiliser requirements (Indian Coconut Journal, 2022). Well-suited to intercropping systems across tropical plantation regions worldwide.

PLANTING TYPE & SEEDING RATE
Pure stand: 4-6 kg/ha; in a legume mixture: 2-4 kg/ha

PLANTING METHOD
Direct sowing, broadcast or rows

DRY MATTER PRODUCTION
8-12 t/ha/year

NO. OF SEEDS/KG
~55,000 seeds

Research-backed performance
Peer-reviewed evidence

By the numbers

Research data from Philippine DA trials, Southeast Asian plantation studies, peer-reviewed erosion research, and tropical agronomy literature.

~250
kg N fixed per hectare per year
Upper-range biological nitrogen fixation at full ground cover, immature rubber, Southeast Asia.
Vrignon-Brenas et al. 2019, Agronomy for Sustainable Development
14,347
kg fresh biomass at 150 days
Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines field trial, the highest biomass of any tested cover crop.
Dept. of Agriculture Region 9, Philippines Cover Crop Trial
95.66%
Decomposition in 3 months
Releasing 3.572% N, 0.245% P, and 0.809% K per tissue weight back into the root zone.
Dept. of Agriculture Region 9, Philippines Cover Crop Trial
88% / 98%
Less runoff / less soil loss
Peer-reviewed 2024 study on replanted rubber, dramatic erosion control from the first season.
Perron et al. 2024, Science of the Total Environment
Up to 30%
N fertiliser substitution in coconut
Established in coconut basins alongside Calopogonium mucunoides, reduces nitrogen fertiliser dependency.
Indian Coconut Journal 2022, Coconut Board of India
39-46%
Of rubber leaf N from Pueraria
Transfer of fixed nitrogen from Pueraria phaseoloides to rubber trees measured in plantation trials.
ResearchGate / Clermont-Dauphin, Pueraria-Hevea N Transfer Study

All statistics from peer-reviewed or institutional research sources. View Philippines DA Region 9 cover crop trial →

SUPPLIER
Supplied by Kudzu Seeds Trading, the Philippines-based sister company of Chemiseed Sdn. Bhd. All seeds are tested for germination before shipment and exported with phytosanitary certification (ISPM 7 compliant, Philippine NPPO / Bureau of Plant Industry).

GLOBAL AVAILABILITY
Available for export to tropical regions worldwide, including Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Contact us for bulk pricing and export documentation.

Species Clarification: Not Invasive Kudzu

Pueraria javanica (PJ) is a non-invasive tropical legume native to Southeast Asia. It is taxonomically distinct from Pueraria montana var. lobata, the aggressive vine commonly known as "kudzu" in the United States. PJ grows as a controlled ground cover, does not climb aggressively into tree canopies, and has been safely used in oil palm and rubber plantations across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines for decades.

Read our full species comparison: Is Pueraria javanica the Same as Invasive Kudzu?

Related Resources

Plan with our free calculators

Estimate the nitrogen this cover crop can contribute with the Nitrogen Fixation Calculator, or model erosion control with the Soil Erosion Calculator. Browse all our plantation tools.

Last reviewed June 2026 by Kudzu Seeds Trading.

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Performance Data

By The Numbers

50-70% Germination Rate
up to 250 kg N/ha/yr Fixed
6 months Full Ground Cover
4-6 kg/ha Seeding Rate
pH 4.5-6.5 Soil pH Range

Data based on testing to ISTA and AOSA methods, MPOB and DA Philippines field references, and peer-reviewed tropical agriculture research.

Is this right for your site?

Where this fits

A fast, vigorous twining legume for quick ground cover where light is good.

Well suited for

  • Immature oil palm and rubber inter-rows that need fast cover
  • Erosion control on cleared or sloping ground
  • Mixed legume covers (commonly with CM and CP)
  • Sites wanting full ground cover within roughly six months

Less suitable for

  • Deep shade under a closed mature canopy, where cover thins
  • Prolonged drought with no rainfall or irrigation
  • Low-maintenance situations (can climb young palms if left untrimmed)

Not sure it fits your conditions? Send your crop, area, and site details and our team will advise on suitability before you order.

Documents available

Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA) with germination data, and phytosanitary certification (ISPM 7 compliant) for export are available on request.

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Limitations and site considerations

Field results depend on crop system, soil, rainfall, planting method, seed quality, storage, timing, and post-establishment management. Adjust recommendations to local conditions, and contact us before ordering if you are unsure about crop fit, application rate, or site suitability.

What to include in your inquiry

  • Country and delivery location
  • Main crop or plantation type
  • Total area in hectares
  • Estimated quantity and timeline
  • Buyer type: plantation, distributor, government, or smallholder

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