That's the logic behind a study being conducted by the University of Toronto and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The two partners are currently looking into the viability of using kudzu, a vine-like plant that's classified as an invasive species, to create biofuel.
A plant native to Japan, kudzu was promoted in the Southern U.S. in the 1950s in order to control erosion. It was soon discovered that the region's warm climate encouraged almost uncontrollable growth, creating many instances where the vine would simply swallow up other low-lying vegetation.
Although its invasive nature isn't good news for farmers and gardeners alike, kudzu's high levels of carbohydrates are a boon for biofuel producers. Nearly 68 percent of the plant is carbohydrate, leading researchers to suggest that an acre of kudzu could produce 270 gallons of ethanol. That's just about even with corn, which yields between 210 and 320 gallons of ethanol per acre. Kudzu also requires little fertilization and irrigation, making it cheaper to grow than corn.
While the plant sounds promising as a possible fuel source, researchers caution that unless existing ethanol plants - usually dedicated to producing corn-sourced ethanol - can convert kudzu without expensive changes, it may not be feasible. Even so, they estimate the plant could account for as much as eight percent of the U.S. biofuel supply.
Source: Discovery Channel