Introduction

Taro (colocasia) and Kongkong taro (xanthosoma) are two staple food crops in Sialum local level government area. Sialum LLG constitutes four zones namely Dedua, Ziwe, Amugen and Nomu Sialum local level government which is in Tewai-Siassi district.

Taro is a general term referred to the starchy tuber crop which the corm is round and oval in shape. Frequently it is known as true taro in Papua New Guinea. In this write up and seminar it will be called colocasia using its scientific name to differentiate from the other main staple food crop that is Kongkong taro popularly known in Papua New Guinea. Kongkong taro will be specifically referred to as xanthosoma using the scientific name as well. The discussion will be in the following areas: growing (agronomy), field management and food uses.

Growing (Agronomy)

The growing techniques for the two staples are extremely different from each other. And so the discussion will follow as per their cultivation methods and techniques.

First, the technique to grow and cultivate colocasia staple crop is so complex and tedious. Initial stage is the land preparation. A fertile land is chosen. The fertility is qualified by looking at the soil structure, the growth of vegetations on the land, the presence of mites and insects and even the humus compaction of the top soil. This is made sure because there will not be any chemical and synthetic fertilizer application to the crop during its growth stages. This staple crop is hundred per cent organically grown.

With the assistance of relatives, family, friends and community (comrades) the fertile land is cleared either in a day or half. It is left to dry properly for a week. All properly cut, dried bushes are burnt which leaves only the ashes, chars and charcoals. The womenfolk contribute to clean and mop up the soil surface with fire splinters and chars using a very thin and long stick that has shape like ‘T’ at one end. This ‘T’ shape tool is used to hook the fire splinters and chars all along the surface of the soil from one end of the garden to the other. This is to make sure the top soil is thoroughly cooked. This leaves no traces of fallen dried weed seeds, runner roots, nor any other tree seeds that may grow when the colocasia is growing. They must be totally removed and extinguished.

The comrades are again needed for assistance in the ploughing and digging of the soil. The soil is properly ploughed using hoes, forks and mattocks. Simultaneously, the soil is tilted and every single root is removed. Big buttress bases of felled trees, bases of pitpits, piper roots, etc., are up-rooted with the help of crow bars and digging iron bars. Depending on the land area of the garden, it takes one or two days to finished ploughing, tilting and uprooting shrubs, weeds, pitpit roots, so on and so forth. During this time, mounds are prepared. The mounds are not neatly arranged but in an irregular and logical manner. The mound has a diameter of 40cm and height of 20cm at most. These mounds are places where the suckers or the comb of the colocasia are planted. It is highly recommended to plant on mounds for a bountiful harvest. At the same time, this will make the job really easy and comfortable during the management and growth stage of the colocasia staple. Also, take note that other parts of Finschafen district dig up 30cm in depth and 20cm diameter holes as preparation for planting of colocasia corm.

For the planting step, the colocasia suckers are respectively placed on the mounds. The colocasia corms are either young or cut-off-mother colocasia after harvest. The planter uses either a specially chosen tree branch cleaned and sharpened at one end or a sharp iron rod in these modern days for planting of colocasia combs. This special tree is ancestrally believed to possess supernatural powers that influence the colocasia tuber to enlarge and have a very huge comb during harvesting. This knowledge is passed down from generations to generations.

The practice of colocasia planting and harvesting is an inter-cropping or mixed-cropping system. The other crops planted amongst the colocasia plants are corn, bean, sugar-cane, banana, cabbage, bulb onion, English potato, canola, et cetera. The planting of these vegetables and greens are either at the side of the garden approximately about 30cm-off from the side or the spacing amongst the mounds of the colocasia combs. A space of 40cm apart was created in-between mounds during the mound building step. It takes at least about twelve months for the colocasia staple to be ready for harvest.

The other technique is to cultivate and grow xanthosoma staple food crop. The technique is fairly straight forward and unsophisticated as opposed to colocasia. Any ordinary villager could understand and follow these steps. The foremost step is to inspect and choose a fertile parcel of land. With the assistance of the comrades the shrubs and grasses are cleared. The big tree branches are cut off and even the young whole trees are felled systematically. These are carried out with big axes and bush knives especially the Tramontina brands. The cleared land is left to dry for a good ten days. There are two methods used for the cleared-land for planting. They are referred to as ‘burnt’ and ‘not-burnt’ methods. For the ‘burnt’ method the cleared and dried leaves, branches, twigs, and grasses are burnt completely. Those other dried stuffs that did not burnt up well are heaped and with help from dried leaves of either bananas or coconuts are properly scorched. For the ‘not-burnt’ method only the big dried branches are collected and removed from the garden without being burnt. The dried leaves will be used as mulch so it is left to decompose and enrich the soil with mineral elements especially the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P).

The next step is called the hole-digging step. Approximately about 30cm depth and diameter of 20cm holes are dug with Tramontina spades and digging bars sourced from old land cruiser (4X4) vehicle springs; welded, sharpened and joined onto iron rods. A good drain is also dug up all around the whole garden using a sharp long spade. This is to drain access water from the garden. The comrades assist by bringing the xanthosoma combs. The corms are either young or matured xanthosoma which were cleaned and prepared for planting.

In the actual planting step the corms are placed into the dug holes and using either bare hands or spade to fill up the holes. The xanthosoma staple crop also has a mixed or inter-cropping planting system. The vegetables and greens are planted in-between the spacing or about 30cm-off the side-end of the drain. Special mentioned are the vegetables banana and aibika which go well with the xanthosoma staple crop in the mixed cropping system. It takes about three to four days for planting depends on the garden size. It takes about twelve months for the xanthosoma staple crop to be ready for harvest.

Field Management of the staple crop (Colocasia and Xanthosoma)

For colocasia staple crop it is a tedious work for the management. However, for the xanthosoma it is the exact opposite.

After about three weeks of planting, a first ceremony for colocasia is observed. It is locally known as “tatine qeko qekok naso.” A fat pig is slaughtered and a huge feast is prepared. While the pots of foods are cooking the farmers go to their plots and remove every initially dried colocasia leaves from the necks of the plant, above the soil leaving only the fresh young shoots. There may be about three or four leaves with stalks which are starting to roll open their leaves. Xanthosoma does not have such ceremony or removal of initially dried leaves.

For the shading, near the colocasia garden there are no shade trees allowed to stand. A clearing of about 20 meters all around the garden is accepted making sure there is not one shade tree nearby. For xanthosoma staple crop shade is allowed. From past practice and observation, it was learnt that when shade trees are left to grow nearby, the colocasia plant grows quite tall indicating lack of sunlight. This results in small size and not desirable tubers when harvested. Others even rot when a heavy rain which allows the water collection onto the shade-tree leaves that contribute a high mass of droplets causing much destruction.

Colocasia leaves and stalks are not allowed to fall onto the soil surface when still green. When there are some that fall; fork-shape twigs are used to support the leaves and stalks to stay upright. The support is fastened with ropes. The leaves and stalks rest on these fork-shape twigs and ropes. Food produced on the green leaves is transferred to the tubers. Therefore every single leaves of the colocasia are essential for food production. Sunlight provides the energy that converts the chlorophyll in the presence of water to produce food that is scientifically referred to as the ‘process of photosynthesize.’

During the growing period the soil is made sure it is soften by the tilting and even mulching from up-rooted weeds and grasses those are piled at the base of the growing colocasia plant. The mulching is to prevent soil erosion and also enhance organic fertility of the soil. Weeding process is an important process in management. The softened soil enables the roots to easily search to up-take nutrients and water for growth.

At about seventh month into the colocasia growth a second ceremony is observed. This time any type of animal is slaughtered and pots of food with soups as well as vegetables are cooked. Concurrently, the farmer and assistants go to the garden and heap up the soil at the base of every single growing colocasia staple crop with bare hands. This is known in Onoka language as “Jung Kikiok.” After the soil heaping the food is served and eaten. It takes about 2-3 days for the entire garden to finish. This is a belief or a traditional by-law of the colocasia management passed through the generations. Scientifically, it is understood that the roots that supply the staple with nutrients and water are now suffocated. This means the food supply is cut off leaving only the food production on the leaves that continue to supply the tuber and make it grow. The farmer continues with weeding and making sure no leaves fall to the ground. This ceremony is not observed for the xanthosoma staple crop.

Other greens and vegetables planted in-between the staple are ready for harvest especially cabbages, beans, English potato, canola, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin leaves with shoots and corn. This will be in the months nearing the Christmas cerebrations (December and January). The bananas and sugar canes will have grown up providing a bit of shading. In the final 10^th to 12^th month the soil is continually piled up for the absolute suffocation of the roots. The colocasia staple will now be ready for harvest.

For xanthosoma staple at the 7^th month of growth the other crops planted in-between will be ready for harvest. The management of weed is really important. All the weeds are uprooted and placed again at the base of the xanthosoma plant. As the weeds rot they dissipate into the xanthosoma plant supplying it with organically rich fertilizer such as the NPK and C.

Food Uses of the staples (Colocasia and Xanthosoma)

The main uses of the staples are for food and feed. Major events and parties take place during harvesting of colocasia and xanthosoma staples. The events like bride price payment, head stone construction, opening and launching of newly constructed houses, churches, etc., occur at this time. This is because there are abundant supplies of both staples.

Xanthosoma staple is sometimes made into cakes with ripe banana normally called taro-banana cake. This is a way of food preparation or dish for human consumption.

One industrial use is the usage of the starch as medicine to treat fresh cuts and diarrhea.

Staple crops are exchanged as compensation to bring peace to the society. This serves a vital purpose for both disputing parties.

Transglutaminase, aka Meat Glue

This is the problem that happens when consuming wheat flour because the body reacts with the amine in the small intestine.
The product is sometimes called meat glue because it is used to glue the meat. It comes powder form.

Digestive disorder in which people cannot tolerate gluten, a protein constituent of wheat, barley, malt, and rye flours. In celiac disease, gluten generates an immune response that damages the mucous lining of the small intestine; it is believed that a deficiency of gluten-digesting enzymes may underlie the disease. Poor nutrient absorption causes foul, bulky, fatty stools; malnutrition; stunting of growth; and anemia similar to pernicious anemia. It can run in families. Children begin having intermittent intestinal upset, diarrhea, and wasting at 621 months. In adults it usually begins after 30, with appetite loss, depression, irritability, and diarrhea. Symptoms in advanced cases stem from nutritional deficiencies and may require supportive measures. A high-protein diet low in glutens and saturated fats usually relieves symptoms

Sa Psci Technology

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Cambridge Journals Online - Abstract - Protective effect of ascorbic acid against ethanol-induced reproductive toxicity in male guinea pigs

Antioxidants = Anti Aging | Women's Health Magazine

Resveratrol, Blueberry, Salmon, Flaxseed, and More

The Story of Free Radicals & Antioxidants how they work

Sunday, March 17, 2013

TARO (COLOCASIA ESCULENTA) AND KONGKONG TARO (XANTHOSOMA SAGITTIFOLIUM) STAPLE FOOD CROPS IN SIALUM LOCAL LEVEL GOVERNMENT

Introduction

Growing (Agronomy)

Field Management of the staple crop (Colocasia and Xanthosoma)

Food Uses of the staples (Colocasia and Xanthosoma)

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

(11) IFRJ-2010-97-106 Rohman Indonesia.pdf

celiac disease: Definition from Answers.com

Transglutaminase, aka Meat Glue

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Epilepsy | Medindia

How to Shop for Disease-Fighting Antioxidants | Money Talks News

Monday, January 28, 2013

Expert: Pawpaw, good cash crop | The National

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Let them eat snail: Nutritional giant snails could address malnutrition

Let them eat snail: Nutritional giant snails could address malnutrition