2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Operation of a fall and winter rice nursery for the purpose of advancing plant generations and seed increase. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The AES of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, along with the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center will provide technical assistance, for operation of rice research field plots; provide available rice seed stock; and provide advisory/collaborative assistance as needed. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a non-funded cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Puerto Rico. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 6225-21000-008-00D, Use of Diverse Germplasm for Genetic Improvement of Rice. Collaboration between ARS, University of Arkansas, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the University of Puerto Rico was established to develop a coordinated rice breeding program for the development of improved rice cultivars for the southern US facilitated by the use of winter nursery facilities in Puerto Rico. In 2007, over 5 acres of rice research plots were planted and breeding selections were harvested by staff from all cooperating stations. Research progress was monitored through phone calls and emails throughout the year and several visits to the winter nursery facility. Results were discussed by cooperators at the annual US rice breeders meeting that was held in Memphis, TN in Feb. 2007.