Agriculture in Tuvalu

Agriculture in Tuvalu is based on coconut and swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii), (known in Tuvalu as Pulaka),[1][2][3] which is similar to taro (Colocasia esculenta) but "with bigger leaves and larger, coarser roots"; taro is also cultivated in Tuvalu.[4][5]

The soils of the islands of Tuvalu are usually shallow, porous, alkaline, coarse-textured, with carbonate mineralogy and high pH values of up to 8.2 to 8.9.[6] The soils are usually deficient in most of the important nutrients needed for plant growth(e.g., nitrogen, potassium and micronutrients such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc), so garden beds need to be enhanced with mulch and fertiliser to increase their fertility.[6]

  1. ^ Koch, Gerd (1990). The material culture of Tuvalu. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific. p. 46. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  2. ^ FCG ANZDEC Ltd (7 August 2020). Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Nanumaga and Nanumea (Report). The Pacific Community. p. 64. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Tuvalu could lose root crop". Radio New Zealand. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Leaflet No. 1 - Revised 1992 - Taro". Food and Agriculture Organization. 1992. Archived from the original on 28 August 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  5. ^ Randy Thaman; Feagaiga Penivao; Faoliu Teakau; Semese Alefaio; Lamese Saamu; Moe Saitala; Mataio Tekinene; Mile Fonua (2017). "Report on the 2016 Funafuti Community-Based Ridge-To-Reef (R2R)" (PDF). Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Conservation Status of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) In Tuvalu. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Tuvalu Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity". Government of Tuvalu. 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2023.