To be successful participants in the horticultural sector, producers of indigenous crops need to target optimal production through improved agronomy and quality parameters. Our aim is to help them achieve this.

Key Maori crops - including kamokamo, taewa, Puha, New Zealand taro and kumara - have traditionally been grown using sound indigenous cropping systems. While these systems respond to issues such as soil type and companion planting, they do not address the impact of modern pathogens and issues on the crops with a commercial focus.

We're running agronomic crop trials annually at three sites on a selection of three cultivars of taewa. Randomised block designs use management options including Matauranga Maori and western science. Soil and climate relationships will be identified, along with two taewa pathogens.

The responses will be analysed to determine the impact on the crops from production through storage and final marketplace.

Back to Maori Bioprotection homepage.