Pohnpei Taro (Mwahng) Study Documents the Differences

by Dr. Lois Englberger

Mr. Viliamu Iese, assisted by Adelino Lorens, Pohnpei Agriculture staff, and selected Pohnpei farmers, documented the differences and morphological characteristics of 29 different varieties of giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) grown in Pohnpei as part of a 10-day study 29 April to 10 May, 2004. Mr. Iese collected information on the names of the taro variety, corm flesh color, stem color, leaf characteristics, salt water tolerance, and length of time needed for maturity, as well as traditional knowledge, such as medicines prepared from mwahng and legends.

One of the exciting findings is that most of the varieties were described as having yellow-colored flesh for the raw corms. This means that it is likely that these varieties are rich in carotenoids and may have high health benefits, including protecting against vitamin A deficiency, anemia, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Another important finding is that one variety, Mwahng Pwetepwet was identified as being "salt tolerant" and thus might have potential for the outer island atolls.

Mr. Iese's study is part of the requirements for completing a Master's degree at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. His study in Pohnpei was just a part of his overall study, which included also 18 varieties of giant swamp taro identified in Tuvalu and 3 varieties in Fiji. Leaves of all varieties (over 50) were collected. Extractions of the genetic material (DNA) from all these will be prepared and taken to Australia for DNA fingerprinting. This will determine whether the varieties are truly different.

This project developed out of the project in the year 2003 with the Pacific Agriculture Plant Genetic Resources Network of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. The conservation and increased production and consumption of a diversity of varieties of locally grown foods is also one of the goals set by the new Island Food Community of Pohnpei, a newly established chartered non-governmental association.