4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year?
This project establishes a general framework for the conservation of genetic resources comprised of Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) from two disjunct populations from Guadalupe and Cedros Islands in Mexico. The Monterey pine population on Guadalupe Island are of primary conservation importance as there are only ~200 Monterey pine trees remaining on the Island.

The NCGRP received 32 collections from Cedros Island and 76 collections from Guadalupe Island on July 13, 2004. Each collection represents an open-pollinated family from a single tree. These seed were placed in safety back-up in the secure vault at -18C at NCGRP.

4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any.
With a visiting scientist from New Zealand, Cathy Hargreaves, some seed from this collection was tested and viability was very good. This seed is part of a long-term cryopreservation study of Pinus radiata seed.

4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations.
None.

4d.Progress report.
This report serves to document research conducted under the Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement #58-5402-4-0159FN between ARS and COLEGIO. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5402-21000-006-00D Preservation and Quality Assessment of Plant Genetic Resources.

This Agreement establishes the framework where, in collaboration with the University of California-Davis, and the Colegio de Postgraduados en Ciencias Agricolas, Mexico, seed from two wild populations of Pinus radiata on Islands in Mexico are being preserved as safety back-up at the NCGRP. As disjunct populations, these seed may represent valuable germplasm not available in other Pinus radiata populations. Further, the trees on one Island are at high risk as there only ~200 trees remaining on Guadalupe Island.