Lyla Lindsey
Taro is a root vegetable that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, including Australia. While taro is not illegal in Australia, there are strict import conditions for bringing fresh taro into the country due to the risk of introducing pests and diseases, such as taro leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae), which can be detrimental to local agriculture. These regulations aim to protect Australia's agricultural industry and environment while allowing commercial import and export of taro under specific guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Import of taro into Australia | Only frozen taro is permitted |
| Taro imports from Brazil | Not permitted |
| Countries with fungal pathogen Marasmiellus colocasiae | Imports not permitted |
| Taro pest risk analysis (PRA) | Six quarantine pests identified |
| Giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) | Prohibited plant in Australia |
| Taro exports from Samoa | Very low risk of taro leaf blight |
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What You'll Learn
Taro is not illegal in Australia, but there are strict import conditions
Due to the risk of introducing pests and diseases, Australia has strict import conditions for fresh taro from all countries. These conditions are outlined in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). The import of fresh taro into Australia is a commercial decision between an importer in Australia and a supplier in the country of origin who can meet these import conditions.
One of the key concerns with importing taro is the risk of introducing taro leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae), a disease that can completely destroy susceptible plants. In 2011, the Australian Department of Agriculture ruled that fresh taro imports should only be permitted from areas declared free of the disease. However, recent studies have shown that exports of fresh taro to Australia from Samoa pose a very low risk of transferring taro leaf blight, and adopting the right harvest practices could further reduce this risk.
Other quarantine pests that have been identified as requiring additional measures to manage the risks include the taro planthopper, colocasia bobone disease virus (CBDV), the French Polynesian strain of Dasheen mosaic virus, Taro vein chlorosis virus (TaVCV), and tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV). To prevent the introduction of these pests, inspections of taro corms upon arrival in Australia are necessary to detect and take remedial action against any quarantine pests or other regulated articles.
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Taro leaf blight (TLB) is a leaf disease that can destroy plants
Taro is not illegal in Australia, but there are strict import conditions for fresh taro corms to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests and diseases, including taro leaf blight (TLB). TLB is a leaf disease that can destroy plants and has had a devastating impact on the livelihoods and food security of small farmers and rural communities in several countries.
TLB is caused by the fungus-like Oomycete Phytophthora colocasiae, also known as P. colocasiae. It infects taro leaves, causing a blight that can ravage taro crops. The disease thrives in warm and humid climates, with temperatures between 17-20°C at night, and regular periods of leaf wetness, making tropical regions particularly susceptible.
The pathogen spreads through infected planting material, adjacent plants, and the movement of infective zoospores, which can be washed off the leaves or splashed onto other parts of the plant. The slanted shape of taro leaves and the prevalence of the crop in wet climates can facilitate the spread of the disease.
TLB has caused significant crop losses and posed threats to food security in several countries, including Samoa, Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. In Cameroon, for instance, TLB caused harvest losses of up to 90%, leading to concerns about food security and social unrest.
Managing and controlling TLB has proven challenging. Cultural practices like roguing (removing infected leaves) have been ineffective and can exacerbate yield losses. Increasing the spacing between plants can help limit transmission, but it also reduces yield as taro plants grow best when planted close together. Chemical control methods, such as preventative sprays containing copper, manganese, and zinc, have offered some relief. However, due to the shape of the leaves and the wet climate in which taro is typically grown, multiple applications may be necessary, potentially making this approach economically impractical.
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Taro corms are a food staple in many Oceanic cultures
Taro, or kalo in Hawaiian, is a tropical plant that is a staple food in many Oceanic cultures. It is a major dietary staple in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in Hawaii, New Zealand, and western Indonesia. Taro corms are very high in starch and are a good source of dietary fibre. They are usually roasted, baked, or boiled, and the starch is easily digestible, making it a common ingredient in baby food.
Taro is the dominant root crop in the Pacific Region and an important export commodity for Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. In Hawaii, taro is farmed under dryland or wetland conditions, typically in "pond fields" known as loʻi. Dryland varieties include lehua maoli and bun long, the latter widely known as "Chinese taro". Bun long is used to make taro chips. Dasheen, or "eddo", is another dryland variety cultivated for its corms or as an ornamental plant.
In Hawaiian culture, taro plays an important role in indigenous religion and is associated with the gods and the original ancestor of the Hawaiian people. The Hawaiian word for family, ʻohana, is derived from ʻohā, the shoot that grows from the kalo corm. In the traditional native Hawaiian diet, taro is used to make poi, a pasty starch that is made by first steaming taro and then mixing it with a little water to form a smooth paste. It is also used to make table taro (steamed and served like a potato), taro chips, and lūʻau leaf (to make laulau).
In Papua New Guinea, taro is the main source of sustenance for the Urapmin people, along with the sweet potato. Taro is also the pre-eminent crop of the Cook Islands, surpassing all other crops in terms of land area devoted to production. However, for the islands situated along the border of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, taro was not traditionally part of the diet due to the infertile soil, and it is only a staple today through importation from other islands.
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Taro is one of the most ancient cultivated crops
Taro is highly polymorphic, making it difficult to distinguish between wild and cultivated types. While it is challenging to determine whether archaeological traces of taro recovered from various sites were cultivated or wild, taro pollen and starch residue identified in Lapita sites date back to between 1100 BC and 550 BC.
Taro was carried to the Pacific Islands by Austronesian peoples around 1300 BC, and it became a staple crop for Polynesians and Micronesians. It is also a staple in the Fijian diet, with cultural importance celebrated on Taro Day. Fiji has become a significant exporter of taro, supplying international markets.
Taro is a versatile crop that can be grown in flooded conditions or dry land, although it matures faster in dry-land cultivation. It thrives in deep, moist, or swampy soils with high rainfall. The crop is susceptible to various pests and diseases, and quarantine requirements are often necessary to manage these risks when importing taro corms into countries like Australia.
Taro is not just a food source but also holds cultural significance in places like Hawaii, where it is connected to the land, community, and ancestors. It is used in traditional dishes such as poi, laulau, and taro chips, adding unique flavours and textures to Hawaiian cuisine.
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Six quarantine pests have been identified in imported taro
Taro is not illegal in Australia, but there are strict import conditions that must be met to ensure the plant is safe for human consumption and does not introduce pests and diseases.
In 2006, Biosecurity Australia initiated a pest risk analysis (PRA) to assess the quarantine risk associated with imported taro corms. The final report, released in 2011, identified six quarantine pests that require additional measures to manage the risks and achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection (ALOP).
The first of the six quarantine pests is the taro planthopper (Tarophagus proserpina), which, as the name suggests, is a type of insect that feeds on taro plants. The second is taro leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae), a fungal pathogen that affects the leaves of taro plants, causing them to turn brown and wither. The third is the colocasia bobone disease virus (CBDV), which can cause severe damage to taro crops, including leaf distortion and plant stunting. The fourth pest is the French Polynesian strain of the Dasheen mosaic virus, which can cause mosaic patterns and distortions on the leaves of taro plants, reducing the plant's ability to photosynthesize and affecting crop yield. The fifth is the Taro vein chlorosis virus (TaVCV), which can cause leaf vein yellowing and plant stunting, and finally, the tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), which can cause leaf spots and fruit blemishes, impacting the quality and marketability of the crop.
To ensure that these pests are not introduced into Australia, strict quarantine measures are in place. Taro corms imported into Australia are inspected upon arrival, and any quarantine pests or other regulated articles are detected and subjected to appropriate remedial action.
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Frequently asked questions
Taro is not illegal in Australia, but there are strict import conditions for bringing it into the country due to the risk of introducing pests and diseases. Taro is a root vegetable that is widely cultivated in tropical regions, including parts of Australia.
Taro imports must comply with Australia's biosecurity regulations to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests and diseases. Only frozen taro is currently permitted into Australia, and it must be imported from areas declared free of the taro leaf blight disease (Phytophthora colocasiae). Importers must also ensure that the taro is free of other pests, such as the taro planthopper and the tomato zonate spot virus.
Yes, taro is grown in northern Australia. However, it is essential to be aware of any state-specific regulations and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
