2004 Annual Report 4.What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. Progress Report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperatve Agreement between ARS and Iowa State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 3625-21000-046-00D Breeding High-Quality Corn for Sustainable, Low-Input Farming Systems. The purpose of this research is to evaluate seed quality attributes of germplasm selected for sustainable agriculture production practices, determine their correlation with other quality traits, and determine the best method of assessing seed quality variations early in the selection process. We characterize seed quality by measuring germination, emergence in cold test, pericarp integrity using Fast Green, cell membrane integrity using Electrical Conductivity of the soaking water, seed vigor using the accelerated aging test and the soak test. Values of these tests are used to calculate an index in order to rank germplasm according to seed quality. In the summer of 2003, eighty high-protein synthetic lines were planted under organic and conventional production systems. In September/October 2003, ears were harvested at physiological maturity (30 % moisture content or black layer formation) and dried artificially with forced air to preserve maximum seed quality. Seed were shelled and stored in a controlled temperature room at 10 °C. Chemical composition of the seed was determined using NIR to assess seed composition differences of seed grown under these two environments. A graduate student was identified to conduct the research. She started her graduate program on January 2004. Seed quality evaluations were initiated during the Spring 2004, as well as the second year of field plantings (Summer 2004). Trials are carried out on farms of Practical Farmers of Iowa members, in conjunction with breeding trials carried out through the USDA-ARS `Breeding High-Quality Corn for Sustainable, Low-Input Farming Systems¿ project that collaborates with Iowa State University (ISU), Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI). Previous work by this research team demonstrated that seed quality is affected by seed composition, genetic background, and production environment. Research results also showed that seed quality decreases when seed are produced under a sustainable agriculture system. Germination percentage and cold emergence (saturated cold test) results of corn seed produced in a sustainable agriculture system are significantly lower than seed produced using conventional seed production practices. This lower seed quality corn also emerged poorly when planted early in the field. Statistical comparisons among genotype and environment are used to differentiate lines according to seed quality attributes and their ability to yield high quality seed under sustainable production practices. Results are compared to early field emergence and final stand of the seed planted in conventional and sustainable production fields. Understanding the seed quality attributes that can minimize these differences is essential for providing producers and farmers with improved nutritional value, high seed quality corn varieties adapted to sustainable farming systems.