Dryland Crops

Beginning in 1960, Puzih substation, formerly the Corn Research Center, released forage maize Tainan No.5, an early-maturing variety with uniform ears also suitable for baby-corn production. In 1971 we introduced Tainan No.11, early-maturing and resistant to downy mildew. Tainan No.16, released in 1984, is a mid-maturing, high-yielding variety with downy-mildew resistance and drought tolerance. In 1998 we released Tainan No.20, a mid-late maturing, high-yielding variety resistant to downy mildew, rust, and viral diseases, lodging- and breakage-resistant, and suitable for mechanical harvest; in 2009 Tainan No.24 improved on those traits with enhanced rust resistance and harvest suitability. Nan dares No.29, released in 2017, is a hard-endosperm maize combining disease resistance, labor savings, and cold tolerance for mechanized cultivation, followed in 2018 by Tainan No.30, which adds drought tolerance. In 2024 we introduced Tainan No.31 and No.32, both high-protein, high-yielding, stress-resilient lines containing 8.8 % protein, ideal for flour milling.

For sweet corn, Tainan No.18 debuted in 1990 with high yield, quality, leaf-spot resistance, and heat tolerance for year-round cultivation; Tainan No.26 in 2011 added rust and lodging resistance; Tainan No.27 in 2013 became the first yellow-and-white bicolor sweet corn with strong disease and pest resistance suited to Taiwan’s summers; and Tainan No.28 in 2018 further strengthened plant vigor and pest resistance.

Our white-kernel lines include Tainan No.22 released in 2000, a compact, uniform plant with thin pericarp and excellent flavor, and Tainan No.23 released in  2007, a glutinous white corn with robust growth, strong disease resistance, and yields of 13,500 kg/ha of fresh husked ears with a thin, tender, Q-textured kernel; Tainan No.25, released in 2010, is a high-yielding, quality black glutinous corn with vigorous plants.

Earlier, in 1993 and 1999, we developed high-biomass silage maize Tainan No.19 and No.21—nutrient-rich, resistant to downy mildew, viral disease, rust, and lodging, well suited to cultivation and mechanical harvest in southern region.

　　　　Peanut is a vital coarse grain crop in Taiwan, and our breeding work began in the 1950s. Tainan Selection No.9, released in 1966, offers stable yield, high shelling rate, rich oil content, and excellent pod quality, making it the top roasting peanut on the market. Tainan No.10, released in 1976, and Tainan No.11, released in 1986, each built on those strengths, while Tainan No.12 (1993) and Tainan No.13 (1998) further refined disease tolerance and shell robustness for mechanized harvest and processing. Tainan No.14, a large-pod, large-seed variety released in 2001, delivers high yield and is ideal for fresh-boiled consumption and small-package seed sales, and remains Taiwan’s principal cultivar. Tainan No.15 followed in 2008, and Tainan No.16 and No.17 in 2009-with No.17 distinguished by its deep-purple-mottled seed coat and a creamy, Q-texture when steamed, perfect for frozen-peanut products. Tainan No.18, released in 2012, boasts superior roast flavor and mouthfeel. Tainan No.19 was released in 2020 for steaming use, retaining a red seed-coat appearance after cooking, with a short, sturdy plant habit and lodging resistance suited to mechanical harvest. In 2021, Tainan No.20 became Taiwan’s first high-oleic-acid variety (oleic-to-linoleic ratio 20–22:1), offering extended storage life without sacrificing traditional peanut flavor.

We developed and released two new sorghum varieties for brewing. Tainan No.7 and Tainan No.8 both with tailored to the first and second cropping seasons in central and southern Taiwan. Tainan No.7 exhibits strong lodging resistance, reducing yield and quality losses from high winds and heavy rain, while Tainan No.8 is waterlogging-tolerant. Both varieties deliver the highest alcohol-yield potential among our sorghums and offer excellent drought tolerance and pest-disease resistance. Their full growth cycle requires neither irrigation nor pesticide application, greatly reducing groundwater extraction and making them the preferred choice for converting rice paddies to water-saving crops in paddy fields.　　

In collaboration with the World Vegetable Research Center, we released soybean Tainan Selection No.1 in 1986 and Tainan Selection No.2 in 1993; both determinate varieties are early-maturing, high-yielding, lodging-resistant, and suitable for mechanical harvest, with Tainan Selection No.2 additionally resistant to downy mildew, rust, and leaf scorch. We released black soybean Tainan No.3 in 1998, and Tainan No.5 in 1999, both large-seeded, yellow-kernel types with high protein content, ideal for oil extraction. We introduced black soybean Tainan No.8 and Tainan No. 9 in 2009; Tainan No. 8 is powdery mildew resistance, and elevated protein and isoflavone levels, making it perfect for sweet-syrup black soybean products and nutraceuticals, while Tainan No.9 is a yellow-kernel black soybean with higher yield and robust disease resistance, well suited to organic cultivation. Soybean Tainan No.10, released in 2013, features yellow seed coat and hilum, high yield, elevated protein content, and powdery mildew resistance, ideal for soymilk and tofu production. In 2017 black soybean Nandares No.11 addressed the small seed size, low yield, and disease susceptibility of Tainan No.3 while further enhancing functional health components. For vegetable soybean, we developed Tainan Selection No.1 in 2003 and Tainan ASVEG No. 2 in 2005.

To meet the demand for green manure or cover crops in the vast fallow fields of Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan, we released soybean green manure varieties Tainan No.4, No.6, and No.7. Tainan No.7, released in 2002, exhibits vigorous early growth, high fresh biomass, tolerance to waterlogging, drought, cold, and superior weed suppression; its extended growth period and complete canopy coverage enable two green manure cycles in fallow fields or under-tree groundcover cultivation in orchards.

In the 1980s, we also conducted mungbean variety trials, releasing shiny-seeded mungbean Tainan Selection No. 3 in 1981 and dull-seeded mungbean Tainan No.5 in 1989; however, due to industry changes these are now maintained solely as germplasm resources.

　　Vegetable soybean Tainan Selection #1, released in 2003, has good flavor, high sugar and isoflavones content, and high percentage of grade pod yield. Vegetable soybean Tainan ASVEG #2, released in 2005, has high yield potential, good flavor and green pods. Black soybean variety Tainan #3, released in 1998, has small seeds with green cotyledons, high yield potential and good quality, and is suitable for mechanical harvesting.

　　Black soybean variety Tainan #5, released in 1999, has large seeds, yellow cotyledons, stable yield, and high protein content, which is ideal for the making of soybean sauce. Black soybean Tainan #8 and Tainan #9 were released in 2009. Tainan #8 has large seeds with yellow cotyledons, resists powdery mildew, has high protein and isoflavones content, and is suitable for sweetened bean or healthy food production. Tainan #9 has large seeds with yellow cotyledons, is resistant to diseases, and can be used for organic farming.