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.