Proceedings of the Sustainable Taro Culture for the Pacific Conference

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/13730

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Effect of Alomae-Bobone Virus Complex on Young Taro Seedlings and Other Aroid Species in Controlled Conditions
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Ivancic, Anton; Liloqula, Ruth; Levela, Helen; Saelea, Jimi
The effect of Alomae-Bobone Virus Complex (ABVC), the lethal disease of taro Colocasia esculenta in the Solomon Islands, on young taro seedlings and on other aroid species has been studied. Young taro seedlings are very sensitive to the disease. The symptoms of the disease are not uniform. Other aroid species can also be affected by ABVC in controlled conditions.
Ecology of a Typical Taro Farm at Sabana, Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Ragus, L.N.; Almario, V.M.; Richards, H.
The ecological study of a typical taro farm at Sabana, Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) was conducted from October, 1990 to June, 1991 to compare the pests associated with taro under low-input, high-input, and farmer's practice of weeding taro. This experiment was superimposed with a yield/profitability study of taro under weeding at 60 and 120 days after planting (OAP) (low input); 30, 60, 90, and 120 OAP (high input); and rototilling at 60 and 120 OAP (farmer's practice). Under the three weed management schemes, common diseases associated with taro were not observed during the experimental period. Only planthopper (Tarophagus proserpina) was consistently observed for eight months. Low-input plots had more counts of nymphs and adult planthoppers than other treated plots. Weed counting done at 60, 120, and 180 days showed 15 weed species as commonly growing with taro. However, Eleusine indica L., Ageratum conyzoides L., and Bidens pilosa L. were predominant and aggressively competing with taro for space, light, water, and nutrients.
Research Priorities for Taro in the Pacific Islands
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Ferentinos, Lisa
During the final session of the conference, participants divided themselves into groups to discuss priorities for future taro research in the Pacific Islands.
Water Needs for Sustainable Taro Culture in Hawai'i
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Penn, David C.
Taro is a spiritual and nutritional center of Hawaiian culture, and the future of sustainable taro culture in Hawai 'i depends upon water. Water needs for expanded wetland and dryland field systems can be filled if physical and institutional changes are made. Potential for making such changes grows as agroeconomic alternatives for taro-based farming systems expand. While lands historically used for wetland taro cultivation hold strongly protected water rights, their water needs and those of other taro-producing lands continue to be strongly denied.
Taro Trade and Cost of Production in Selected Areas of the American Affiliated Pacific
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Tipton, Trace V.; Brown, John W.; Leung, PingSun
Much of the taro (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) that is produced in the Pacific is not traded in the market, but rather it is used for other non-market purposes. Taro is used for home consumption, for social and cultural purposes, and it is sold in the market for income. This article reports general economic factors which influence taro production in American Samoa, Pohnpei, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawai'i. The rapid rural assessments provide a look at taro on islands that are in many different stages of economic development and of cultural intrusion. Generally, as an island developed economically and cultural intrusion increased, taro became less important in the diet and imported starches such as rice became more important. Farmers' motivations for growing taro change from sociocultural and subsistence to commercial, and with this change the use of mechanical equipment and fertilizers increased. Taro remains a viable and important crop in all of the areas studied with the possible exception of Guam.
Yield and Profitability of Taro Production Under Three Weed Management Schemes at Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Ragus, L.N.; Almario, V.M.; Richards, H.
This experiment conducted at Sabana, Rota from October, 1990 to June, 1991 determined the yield and profitability of growing taro under three weed management schemes. These were weeding taro at 60 and 120 days after planting (low input), weeding taro at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after planting (high input), and rototilling at 60 and 120 days after planting (farmer's practice). Taro plants under high-input plots produced the highest yields and profits. The farmer's practice had the lowest yields and profits. However, the corms under farmer's practice were big and fully developed. This study could not single out the effects of weed management in taro yield under farmer's practice due to tillage and/or wide space of planting (90 cm between plants and 90 cm between rows) and the other treatments (60 cm between plants and 90 cm between rows).
Traditional Taro Cultivation in the Solomon Islands
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Liloqula, Ruth; Saelea, Jimi; Levela, Helen
Taro (Colocasia esculenta), yams (Dioscorea spp.), sweet potato (Ipomea babatas), and Cassava (Manihot esculenta) are the four major root crops grown throughout the islands and are components of the daily diet. Taro and yam used to be the major root crops grown throughout the islands and are very much a part of the people's customs. This paper discusses origins and uses of taro, irrigation systems, local varieties, and diseases and pests impacting production in the Solomon Islands.
Taro Research in Palau Since 1990
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Ngiralmau, Meresbang
This paper reports the results of a project to research and document the traditional techniques of taro production in Palau. The researchers concluded that: 1) both pesticides and commercial fertilizer have no major significance in taro production; 2) traditional knowledge is rapidly being lost and needs to be preserved due to its ecological soundness; and 3) Colocasio taro is still culturally important and taro production is decreasing.
Continuing Role of Aroids in the Root Crop-Based Cropping System of Tonga
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Pole, Finau S.
For many generations, taro, together with other root crops, has been a major component of the traditional cropping system in Tonga and is its most important staple. The increasing problem of land shortage has resulted in a gradual change in the traditional cropping system, reducing the bush fallow to a minimum and replacing some root crops with vegetables. Susceptibility to drought has recently caused a marked decrease in taro production. In addition, the introduction of more attractive short-term cash crops has slowly caused taro to be replaced in their cropping system. This paper discusses the continuing important roles of taro either in a root crop based multiple cropping system or as a possible cash monocrop.
Taro Growing on Yap
(1993-01) Falanruw, M.C.
The documentation of traditional methods of growing taro is a major objective of the Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture Taro Project. On Yap, almost all taro is grown by low-input traditional methods without the use of chemical fertilizers or machinery. A number of these taro growing systems are described in the report which follows. The systems are arranged in a rough sequence from simple to more intensive methods.
Taro (Colocasia Esculenta (L.) Schott) in the Atolls and Low Islands of Micronesia
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Manner, Harley I.
In comparison to Cyrtospenna chamissonis, Pandanus tectorius, and breadfruit (Artocapus altitis and A. mariennensis), the significance and cultivation of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott in the atolls and low islands of Micronesia are not well known. In some atolls, the species is represented by many cultivars. The changeover in these varieties is sometimes rapid. The productivity of Colocasia taro in the atolls is not well documented. This paper considers the geographic distribution and cultural ecology of Colocasia esculenta with respect to the atoll environment. The cultivation of Colocasia esculenta, problems posed by the atoll environment and the impacts of socio-economic change, and the significance of cultivar diversity are discussed. This study is based on observations, fieldwork, and a review of the literature.
Prospects for Biological Control of Taro Beetles, Papuana spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), in the South Pacific
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Aloalii, Ioane; Masamdu, Roy; Theunis, Wilfried; Thistleton, Brian
Adults of taro beetles, Papuana spp. (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae), damage corms of taro (Colocasia esculenta) and other aroids and, less seriously, a range of other crops in five countries in the South Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Fiji). Previous control measures were based on the use of pesticides, which is inappropriate in subsistence agriculture. The present project (South Pacific Commission/European Community (SPC/EC) Project for the Biological Control of Taro Beetles in the South Pacific, part of the Pacific Regional Agricultural Program) aims to develop cultural and biological control of the beetles. Studies on taxonomy, distribution, biology, ecology, and cultural and biological control are in progress; the latter focus on the use of pathogens.
Taro Cultivatars in Samoa
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Taotua, Fuifui
A Rapid Rural Appraisal was conducted in American Samoa in 1989 to document traditional agricultural practices associated with the growing of taro. From this survey, 22 cultivars of taro were documented where all farmers grew either Manu 'a or Niue cultivars along with a scattering of other cultivars. Twenty-two cultivars were grown in a demonstration plot of 30 ft x 84 ft from September/ October of 1989. Their performances were evaluated based on the number of petioles per mother plant, the number of cormels produced, and the weight of the corm. 'Alafua Sunrise' cultivar was introduced to the American Samoa Community College Land Grant Programs from the University of the South Pacific in Western Samoa. It was tried with other local cultivars and has proven to give higher yields with excellent plant vigor, strong petiole production, and acceptable eating quality.
Potentials for Shade Management in Agroforestry Systems for Taro Cropping
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Rogers, S.; Iosefa, T.
This paper discusses the potential benefits from shade management in agroforestry systems for taro cropping. Trial work to evaluate weed growth, taro production, and cultivar responses to shade levels are reviewed. It is concluded that weed growth can be reduced in tree-shaded plots without reducing corm production. Higher crop biomass is obtained when taro is grown under fifty percent shade compared to full sunlight. Furthermore, there is a shade/cultivar interaction which indicates the need to select cultivars appropriate to the shade levels found in farmers' fields. Tree shade in agroforestry plots provides a pleasant environment to carry out heavy tasks such as crop planting and weeding, possibly improving productivity from labor.
Intercropping Colocasia Taro with Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) on Pohnpei
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Silbanus, S.; Raynor, B.
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is an important cash crop on Pohnpei. Due to its perennial nature and slow growth, black pepper should lend itself to intercropping with annual crops, especially in the first few years of establishment, both in terms of ecology and cash income. There has been some concern that intercropping may increase disease in young pepper plantings. This paper reports on a six-month, on-farm trial of intercropping of black pepper with Colocasia taro.
No-Till Taro Production in Hawai'i
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) De Frank, Joe
A major portion of the taro produced in Hawai'i is cultivated under dryland conditions. Practically all taro farmers plow and disc their fields to provide a vegetation-free surface before the crop is planted. Unprotected fields are very susceptible to soil erosion due to heavy rains and a lack of soil-conserving practices such as terracing and contour farming. No-till taro production is being introduced in Hawai'i to provide growers with a means of planting their crop to fields protected by a thick layer of mulch to reduce soil erosion and minimize the need for heavy equipment for land preparation.
Sustainable Taro Culture: Fiji Situation
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Vilsoni, F.
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is known to the Fijians by ten different names and is cultivated by people who lived in physically isolated communities for centuries. To the indigenous people, taro is important in their culture. Taro is the most common aroid cultivated by farmers. The demand for taro, especially at the festive Christmas period, appears to be inelastic, as consumers purchase taro regardless of the high prices. Apart from the corm, taro leaves of certain varieties are particularly esteemed as a green vegetable. With the increase in demand for food as a result of population pressure, the practice of shifting cultivation is giving way to intensive taro culture.
Genetic Resistance to Alomae-Bobone Virus Complex, the Lethal Disease of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta (L.) Schott)
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Ivancic, Anton; Liloqula, Ruth; Levela, Helen; Saelea, Jimi; Wagatora, Daniel
Alomae-Bobone Virus Complex (ABVC) ,remains the most destructive and the most serious disease of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) in the Solomon Islands, and its spread could be a major threat to taro cultivation in the South Pacific region, especially for countries where taro is a major export crop. To create resistant varieties, a recurrent selection method was chosen and 350 genetic recombinations were performed. The offspring generation was tested for resistance. The performance and reaction of the genotypes to the lethal viral disease was observed during a period covering ten months. The genotypes showed great differences in resistance/susceptibility. Plants with higher levels of resistance were selected for further recombinations. The selected materials (genotypes with higher levels of field resistance) were predominantly those where one of the grandparents was wild taro from areas affected by ABVC.
Low-input and High-input Dryland Taro Weed Control in Hawai'i
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) Sato, Dwight
Living mulches were compared to weed cultivation and herbicide weed control in dryland taro. The highest No.1 corm yields were harvested from the herbicide and the cultivation treatments. The living mulches tested were ineffective in controlling weeds eight weeks after planting, and poor final yields were attained. Although the highest cost item was cultivation labor, timely mechanical cultivation appears to be a workable alternative for the small family farmer with no hired labor. For the larger farmer with hired labor, proper use of herbicides, possibly in combination with mechanical cultivation, offers the most efficient means of weed control.
Effects of Mulching and Intercropping on Upland Taro
(University of Hawaii, 1993-01) de la Pena, Ramon S.; Melchor, Florendo M.
Mulching and intercropping are old and established practices used by farmers for protecting crops from adverse conditions and increasing productivity. In this study, an upland taro field was prepared using commercial recommended methods of land preparation and intercrop and mulch treatments were established. Yields at harvest showed that intercrops do not adversely affect the corm yields of upland taro, variety Bun-long. Although differences in corm yields were not statistically significant, the increased yields of taro when intercropped with legumes indicate that added benefits from intercropping with beans and peanuts could be derived through their effects on soil fertility. Mulching with natural and artificial materials is greatly beneficial to upland taro. Yields of unmulched taro even when weeds were kept under control are lower than mulched taro.

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