Support collaborative research between the university of puerto rico state agricultural experiment station (saes) and other US saes, ARS, and universities to address problems that concern more than…

Support collaborative research between the university of puerto rico state agricultural experiment station (saes) and other US saes, ARS, and universities to address problems that concern more than one state or insular area. Research activities in which puerto rico participates mainly support our food security, plant, and animal systems program, but also cover cooperative projects addressing critical issues in food safety, science and technology; community, economy, and sustainable development; and extreme weather, environment, natural resources & sustainable energy. Stakeholders of these programs comprise diverse audiences: farmers (including alternative producers in organic and agroecological farming), rural communities, food-related industries, scientists and extension specialists, government officials, members of the public concerned about the environment and conservation, students, and professors, among others. Cooperative projects supported by this grant include activities related to: (1) introduction and conservation of germplasm to address production constraints and to establish promising new crops; (2) development of data necessary for the registration of effective pest management solutions for important specialty crops; (3) evaluation of irrigation systems and sustainable management practices to increase water productivity; (4) characterization of food safety risks in food systems; (5) implementation of sustainable and profitable agricultural systems that improve bean seed yield, conserve natural resources and protect the environment; (6) provision of continuing statistical education to the scientific community on modern statistical methodology and its software implementation; (7) impact of heat stress on the performance and well-being of animals; (8) evaluation of cover crop germplasm for adaptability and contribution to sustainable agroecosystems; and (9) assessment of emerging issues specific to food system development in the southern region of the US. Deliverables from this broad range of activities include publication in peer reviewed journals and popular media outlets (newspapers, podcasts, social media); release of new crop cultivars incorporating resistance/tolerance to major biotic and abiotic stresses; a new web-based system for registered pesticides of tropical crops; improvements in microirrigation technology; updated technological packages for the production of local crops; conferences, workshops, field days, seminars, posters and oral presentations at scientific and stakeholder meetings depicting project results. Expected outcomes include a reduction of losses in yield caused by diseases and pests, thus improving the output and quality of targeted crops; a more resilient agriculture benefitting from drip irrigation technologies, fertilization management, and climate and weather research; enhanced animal productivity and well-being through knowledge of the impact of heat stress on productive and reproductive performance; and the potential implementation of public policies targeting barriers identified as hindering the growth of local food systems.