The USDA, ARS, Tropical Agriculture Research Station was founded in 1901 by an act of the U.S. Congress. Its main building shown here was constructed in 1909.
Celebrating 120 Years of Agricultural Research!
Scientists at the ARS germplasm repository in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, carry out research to evaluate and develop integrated production systems for numerous tropical fruit crops and to conserve the germplasm of these crops.
Horticulturist Tomas Ayala (left) and plant physiologist Ricardo Goenaga inspect cacao pods. The Mayaguez repository maintains a genetically diverse collection of cacao, comprising more than 200 accessions.
Geneticist Tim Porch improves common bean germplasm for biotic and abiotic stress.
The evaluation of sorghum accessions present in the US sorghum collection will help to identify new germplasm to broaden genetic variability available for the development of new varieties.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We are transitioning the service provider for telephone calls so temporarily to contact our office please call 939-236-3368
The USDA-ARS Southeast Area’s (SEA) number one priority is the safety and health of our personnel and visitors. As a result of damages caused by hurricanes Maria and Fiona, there are multiple repair, maintenance, and construction projects running at the location. Therefore, at the present time, we are restricting visitors and meetings at the Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) to strictly essential purposes and emergencies. Thank you.
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Useful Links:
Location's History
Selected Reprints
Volunteering
Popular Articles
Getting to the Station
100 Years of Tropical Research
USDA Caribbean Climate Hub:
Release of Climate Database Application
Disaster Recovery Resources for Farmers, Forest Managers and Rural Communities
Latest News:
Celebrating Women's History Month: USDA ARS
Journal of Plant Registrations Web Story
NPGS Video (April 8, 2020)
Video documentary about our location is available (April 5, 2017)
Soybean Winter Nursery Speeds Up Variety Development (March 15, 2017)
Musa Taxonomic Reference Collection Catalog (July 14, 2016)
Catalog of Musa Accessions maintained at USDA-ARS TARS (December 14, 2015)
