All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber crops (AICRPTC) has 4108 accessions of 25 species of tropical tuber and root crops are maintained in 17 centres as field gene bank and as a resource for varietal development. Maximum number of accessions is maintained in Sweet Potato (46.71%) and RAU, Dholi maintains largest collection of sweet potato (1112). Yethapur (Coimbatore) has been maintaining the maximum collection (361) in cassava. Among other species, 795 accessions of Colocasia spp (615 taro, 128 bunda and 52 swamp taro), 197 collections of elephant foot yam, 217 collections of greater yam, 60 collections in other Dioscorea and 159 accessions of yam bean are being maintained by different centres. Agro- morphological and molecular characterization (by using RAPD markers) of 16 varieties/ cultivars of amorphophallus and 20 accessions of taro have been done by Kalyani Centre.

The result of IET on cassava indicated that CM-9966 (54 t ha-1) and 4-2 (37 t ha-1) produced significantly superior yield at Dapoli and Peddapuram. At Yethpur, Me- 833 recorded a yield of 41 t ha-1 in short duration cassava. At Kalyani, Sree Jaya recorded 21 t ha-1 followed by H-165 (19 t ha-1). The evaluation of cassava mosaic resistant lines showed that MNga (29 t ha-1) at Yethapur and PDP-8 (35 t ha-1) at Peddapuram performed well. In the URT of cassava, the highest yield of 23 t ha-1 was recorded in 5-3 at Peddapuram and at Navsari CM-9966 produced maximum yield of 45 t ha-1. Multilocation results showed that at Peddapuram CI-848 recorded a yield of 26.2 t ha-1 followed by H-740/92 (26 t ha-1). Single pruning in Cassava at 3 months after planting increased the yield by 16.94% at Jorhat Centre. In Peddapuram and Dapoli, 3/4 RD of FYM+ N&K+ Green leaf manure (Glyricidia leaf@ 25 t ha-1) + 3% panchagavya foliar spray recorded higher tuber yield in Cassava. Defoliation of 50 % and 75% leaves had significant reduction on tuber yield in Cassava at Peddapuram. Cassava leaves were used for rearing of Eri-silkworm at Peddapuram and Jorhat.

IET of elephant foot yam indicated that the highest yield 50 t ha-1 was recorded in Appakudal Local at Coimbatore and Gajendra (50 t ha-1) at Kovvur. At Raipur, the highest yield was recorded in NDA-2 (50 t ha-1). FYM @ 25 t ha-1 + 75 % RDF (as inorganic) + 25 % RDF (as organic) + AMF@ 5 kg/ ha + Azospirillum@ 5 kg/ ha has recorded highest yield of elephant foot yam at Kovvur. Elephant Foot Yam + Turmeric (1:2) was reported to be the most suited option at Ranchi whereas, EFY+ Ginger at 1:1 ratio was found to be most suitable combination at Dholi.

The IET on Colocasia (Bunda) indicated that IGB-6 (27 t ha-1) at Raipur, BCB-3 (23 t ha-1) at Kalyani and AAU Col-38 (21 t ha-1) at Dholi recorded high yield. The results of URT on Colocasia (taro) showed that high yield was observed in Sree Rashmi (19 t ha-1) at Jorhat, IGCOL-E-9 (25 t ha-1) at Raipur, AAUCol-38 (18 t ha-1) at Dholi and KCS-2 (19 t ha-1) at Rajendranagar. The multilocation trials conducted at Barapani showed that ML-1 recorded highest yield of 22 t ha-1 followed by ML-9 (19 t ha-1). The URT in Xanthosoma showed that the highest yield of 3.79 t ha-1 was observed in KKV-Xa-7 followed by KKV-Xa-2 (3.24 t ha-1). For higher yield in taro, application of 1 t ha-1 of vermicompost +10 t ha-1 of FYM along with 75% RD of NPK or 10 t ha-1 of FYM with full dose of NPK i.e. 80:60:80 Kg/ha of NPK was most beneficial. The lines, BCC- 2, BCC-4, BCC-5, BCC-8 and BCC-9 at Kalyani Centre, C-2-92, C-32, C-6 and C-149 at Dholi, BCC-11 and Kadama local at Dapoli, recorded lowest level of Taro Leaf Blight incidence.

In the IET of sweet potato, 90/101 recorded highest yield of 28 t ha-1 followed by Kamala Sundari (27 t ha-1) at Udaipur. While Kamala Sundari also recorded 29 t ha-1 at Bagalkot. In URT, CO3-4 recorded highest yield of 14 t ha-1 at Udaipur, DOP-93-19 (29 t ha-1) at Imphal and CARISP-2 (21 t ha-1) at Port Blair. In the URT of orange-fleshed sweet potato, CIPSWA-2 (27 t ha-1) at Imphal, CIP-440038 (18 t ha-1) at Dholi and Kamala Sundari at Kalyani recorded highest tuber yield. The evaluation for salinity tolerance showed that CIPSWA-2 recorded highest yield of 23 t ha-1 at Bhubaneswar. For sweet potato, 2/3rd recommended dose of N + 2kg Azospirillium ha-1 as vine dipping + 10 kg Azospirillium ha-1as soil application recorded maximum tuber yield (26.67 t ha-1) and harvest index (56.17%).

The IET of greater yam results showed that the highest yield was observed in IGDa-2 at Navsari and Jagadalpur (17 and 28 t ha-1 respectively) and Da-11 (44 t ha-1) at Imphal. The results of URT showed that, Da-25 recorded highest yield (61 and 21 t ha-1) at Jorhat and Bhubaneswar respectively, Da-11 (28 t ha-1) at Trivandrum and Da-68 (30 t ha-1) at Dapoli. The IET conducted in lesser yam at Trivandrum showed that De-156 recorded an yield of 21 t ha-1 which was on par with 'Adamoa' (20 t ha-1). In the URT De-17 (14 and 12 t ha-1) at Dholi and Ranchi, De-156 (19 t ha-1) at Trivandrum and RAU-2 (27 t ha-1) at Jorhat recorded the highest yield.

Paired rows of sweet potato and one row of marigold (2:1) is recommended for controlling sweet potato weevil in yam bean and sweet potato at Udaipur and Dapoli respectively. Beauveria bassiana(bio-power 1. 5% wp) - 6.75 Kg/ha and Neem cake 10 t ha-1 was recommened to manage Sweet Potato weevil. Among different intercrops tested at Dholi Centre, sweet potato + coriander at 1:1 ratio recorded lowest tuber infestation (8.7%) by sweet potato weevil and recorded highest marketable tuber yield. Seed tuber treatment with Trichoderma viride (5g /kg cow dung slurry) and soil application of 1 kg Trichoderma viride enriched compost per pit, recorded the minimum TLB disease incidence at various Centres. YBSE at 5% aqueous and tobacco decoction (3% aqueous) were proved most effective in minimizing yam bean pod borer population while Yam bean seed extract (YBSE) at 5 and 2% aqueous proved most effective in minimizing Spodoptera litura and aphid population. The lines PDP-8, Ambakadam Xh 97 and TCS-25 showed resistance to CMV and tolerance to mealy bug infestation at Peddapuram. Application of CTCRI formulation effectively reduced the mosaic incidence (7.18%) and leaf blight (8.14 %) of cormels of EFY and also reduce the collar rot disease. The lines, BCC- 2, BCC-4, BCC-5, BCC-8 and BCC-9 at Kalyani Centre, C-2-92, C-32, C-6 and C-149 at Dholi, BCC-11 and Kadama local at Dapoli, recorded lowest level of Taro Leaf Blight incidence.

About 1,31,870 vines of high yielding varieties of sweet potato, 2685 setts of cassava and 8 tonnes of seed tubers of elephant foot yam, taro, bunda, yam bean and yams were produced and distributed to farmers/NGOs in different states of India under AICRPTC. Regular advisory services were provided to the farmers interested in cultivation of tuber crops and also awareness for tuber farming was created among the farmers by all AICRPTC Centres. Training on improved production technologies of different tuber crops were imparted to farmers of respective regions. Scientists of the AICRP centres participated / organized several Agri/Horti exhibitions and delivered TV and Radio talks.