Tropical Agricultural Research Station


USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station or TARS is an USDA-ARS agricultural research center with well known botanical garden in the city of Mayagüez, in Puerto Rico. Maricao, in Puerto Rico. Its code of international recognition as a botanical institution, as well as the initials of its herbarium is MAYAG.

Location

This botanical garden is located at Pedro Albizu Campos Ave. Suite 201 Mayagüez 00680, between Carr. 65 intersection with Carr. 108.
Tropical Agricultural Research Station Mayagüez Institute of Tropical Agriculture, PO Box 70, Autonomous Municipality of Mayagüez, PR 00708, Puerto Rico.
Office hours to arrange a visit of the TARS are from 7:00 am - 12:00 pm / 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

History

In 1901, the United States Congress authorized the establishment of the research station in Mayagüez to study agricultural problems of interest to Puerto Rico. One hundred years later, the station makes important contributions to agriculture on a regional and national scale.
According to Ricardo J. Goenaga, the director of the TARS, the main goal of the scientists at the station is the development of fruit production systems that help growers to increase the market and the sales potential of the crops.
The Germplasm Research and Introduction Unit in Saint Croix, of the United States Virgin Islands, is a satellite site of the Mayagüez station. This facility is also part of the National Plant Germplasm System of the ARS. The new germplasm is grown here in isolation and is certified free of harmful pathogens before it is distributed for home use.

Collections

Currently, the TARS contains one of the best and well-documented tropical plant collections in the Western Hemisphere, consisting of more than 2,000 permanently cultivated species, both tropical fruits and ornamental plants.
TARS research also focuses on improving genetic diversity in dry greens and sorghum.

Activities

Currently the "TARS" is developing the projects: