2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Describe, document, identify, and refine the races of maize native to the southwestern U.S. that are currently in the (NPGS) collection. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) References are unavailable that thoroughly describe the races of U.S. maize, both extant and ancient maize, and their relationships to each other and to non-U.S. maize. Ecogeographic, morphological, agronomic, physiological, molecular, elemental and ethnographic data will be collected or accessed and compiled to describe approximately 160 accessions of Native American maize held by the NPGS. The accessions will be classified into races using cluster analyses of multiple factors, especially phenological and morphological characteristics. Ancient maize racial descriptions will consist of morphological and molecular characterizations and information from archeological records which associate them with relevant human cultures. Findings, photographs, descriptions and interpretations will be disseminated via publicly available online and printable publications, via CD-ROM, and in a searchable database. Information and relevant findings will contribute to a long-term goal of developing a comprehensive reference on the races of U.S. maize. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document activities conducted during FY07 under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Iowa State University, under the parent project 3625-21000-044-00D. The ADODR monitors the progress of work conducted under this SCA through weekly meetings or electronic contact with project personnel. Data collection has been completed for phenotypic evaluation and characterization of approximately 160 accession of Native American maize held by the National Plant Germplasm System (2004 and 2005, Farmington, NM; 2004, Ames, IA). These maize accessions are from a wide range of North American tribes, with the greatest representation from the Pueblos of the Southwest. Ecogeographic and ethnic information have been assembled, and a completed complex series of analyses to better understand the relationships between the accessions, the tribes and the cultural and geographic contexts of their use. Analyses completed include analysis of variance, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and G-Gobi. Tissue has been saved from plants grown in both sites for future DNA extraction and molecular analysis. Preparation of manuscripts for publication are underway. Findings indicate that cultivars previously lumped under the Pima-Papago grouping can be separated along a continuum, with distinct characteristics.