2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To determine the chilling requirement of hardy kiwifruit germplasm to ascertain potential production range in the Pacific Northwest. Determine whether there is a correlation between rate of acclimation, deacclimation, and total chilling requirement on time of bud break, bloom, and harvest in the field. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Fifteen of the most promising hardy kiwifruit accessions housed at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository were selected based on commercial potential for the Pacific Northwest. The commercially grown Actinidia arguta 'Ananasnaya', 'Issai' and 74-49 and A. deliciosa 'Hayward' will be studied. In fall/winter 2005/06, 10 tissue samples were collected from each accession every two weeks from October 15 through March 15. Each tissue sample was a 5-node one-year-old fruiting cane section. Tissue samples were placed in potting media in flats in a greenhouse (~ 15 to 20C, natural daylength) with bottom heat and misting or in flasks with water (best methodology determined in 2004/05). Tissue samples were evaluated daily for percentage of bud break and days to budbreak - up to 30 days, after which time they were discarded. In spring/summer, 2006, date of bud break, first and last flower, and fruit harvest date (female vines) was collected. A correlation analysis between these data and the chilling requirement will be performed. This study documents a Specific Cooperative Agreement with Oregon State University. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Oregon State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5358-21000-033-00D, Management of Temperate Adapted Fruit Nut and Specialty Crop Genetic Resources and Associated Information. Samples of fifteen promising hardy kiwifruit accessions from the USDA ARS Corvallis Repository Genebank and Oregon State University North Willamette Research and Extension Center were collected in fall winter 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. These dormant samples were examined for days to budbreak, first and last flower and fruit harvest date(female vines). A correlation analysis between these data and the chilling requirement for each cultivar will be performed. Results will be published in a journal article and presented at annual small fruits meetings. The rate of acclimation, deacclimation and the total chilling requirement to time of budbreak, bloom, and harvest will be determined. This information will assist berry growers in the Pacific Northwest to choose appropriate cultivars for production. ADODR Statement: This is the second year of the project, Evaluation of Hardy Kiwifruit Germplasm. The ADODR met with the cooperating PI at small fruits meetings during the year and discussed results through phone calls and e-mail. Data was collected last winter and this winter and being analysed and interpreted. Preliminary results were reported at the Northwest Center for Small Fruits annual meeting in December 2006. The total funding for this project will be expended within the alloted time and the data will be published in a collaborative journal article.