Taro samples in Samoa have been sent to Germany after reports of a virus affecting some plantations on Upolu.
The problem has caused a ban on any movement of adult taro or seedlings to Savaii from Upolu while exports to American Samoa have been stopped by the territory's government.
The chairman of Samoa's Farmers Association Afamasaga Toleafoa told RNZ the climate is likely a key factor.
Afamasaga said there was a previous outbreak of a virus affecting taro in the 1990’s.
He added all the species of the taro that were taken out by the virus are no longer around.
Afamasaga said there has been a lot of research into new varieties, to marry them and that has resulted in a new variety which will be more resistant to viruses of this kind.
“The Ministry officials believe that once they identify the virus, with the prevention measures they are doing at the moment like isolation or stopping the transfer of taro materials from one area to another and to treat it will help to keep damage to a minimum level,” Afamasaga said.
American Samoa has placed a temporary ban on taro and taro materials from Samoa as a result of the virus.