Research Details

Germplasm Collection, Characterization and Evaluation of Underutilized Root and Tuber Crops

Menisa Antonio, Joemel Agreda, Josefa Pugat

Category: Project

Status: On-going

Duration: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2025

Component Studies:

  1. Germplasm assembly and documentation on root and tuber crops
  2. Assessment of phenotypic diversity in root and tuber crops
  3. Agronomic and chemical evaluation of root and tuber crops

Additional Information

Parent Program: Mainstreaming the Sustainable Conservation and Utilization of Iloco Crop Genetic Diversity

Related Projects:

  1. Strengthening the Resilience of Iloco Crop Diversity Through Complementary Conservation Approach
  2. Leveraging the Potential of Indigenous Fruits in the Ilocos for Food and Nutrition Security

Brief Description

The project is  aimed at conserving, characterizing and evaluating different species/varieties/accessions of taro and yams  in terms of their agronomic performance and nutritive (vitamins and minerals) and non-nutritive components (phytochemicals). The results will form bases in identifying promising varieties/accessions for mass production and subsequent promotion for food and nutrition. 

Expected Output

Product –  promising species and varieties; root & tuber germplasm

Publication – 1 paper submitted to journal

Patent – 1 copyrighted catalog

Policy – 1 policy brief on the conservation and management framework for the underutilized RT crops

people services - beneficiaries of planting materials


places  - at least 1 community for the rewilding of priority yams

partnerships – 1 MOA with LGUs/community