2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To develop processing red raspberry cultivars that are adapted to the PNW that are machine harvestable. Addition traits to incorporate into new cultivars are RBDV resistance and root rot tolerance. To develop strawberry cultivars that are adapted to the PNW and that have higher picking efficiency than current industry standards. Additional traits to incorporate into new cultivars are: fruit firmness and disease resistance. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The principle breeding system used in the raspberry program will be recurrent mass selection in which the best individuals of each generation are intercrossed to form the next generation for selection. A recurrent mass selection system will be followed; the best individuals selected in each generation will be intercrossed to produce the next generation. Additional cultivars and selections from other programs will be added to the breeding population at any stage. Documents SCA with WSU. Formerly 5358-21000-031-17S (10/04). 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Washington State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5358-21000-036-00D, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Genetic Improvement of Small Fruit Crops. Dr. Moore and collaborators conducted the following research towards the agreements objectives: In 2007, a new machine harvesting study was established with 100 non-replicated plots with 58 WSU selections. This planting will be machine harvested in 2009 and 2010. The machine harvesting plantings established in 2004 and 2005 were evaluated in 2007. Selections in the 2004 planting that were identified as adapted to machine harvesting in 2006, continue to machine harvest well in 2007. Although harvests are not completed, 12 selections appear to be adapted to machine harvesting in the 2005 planting. In 2007, 7,300 red raspberry seedlings were planted from crosses made in 2006. Selections will be made in this planting in 2009 and 2010. Selections are being made in the 3,400 seedlings planted in 2004 and the 9,800 seedlings planted in 2005. One hundred seedlings have been preliminarily selected, but some may be discarded for susceptibility to diseases. In 2007-2008, the effort on developing and identifying machine harvestable raspberries will continue with additional crosses made, seedlings planted and selections evaluated for machine harvestability. The possibility of evaluating seedlings for machine harvestability is being explored and plantings may be established for this purpose. Two WSU selections that have been identified as being machine harvestable were transferred to commercial propagators, to produce plants for grower trial. Some plants may be available for growers to test in 2008. If these selections continue to be promising, they could be released as new cultivars in 2009-2011. Eighty-three strawberry crosses were made in 2007 with parents chosen for large fruit size, firm fruit and productivity. Seedlings from these crosses will be planted in 2008 and selections made in 2009. Forty-one selections were made among the seedlings planted in 2006. These selections are being propagated for further testing. In 2006, a planting was established with 60 WSU strawberry selections. Although the 2007 harvest data has not been analyzed yet, there were several selections that appeared promising, including a large-fruited, early season, productive selection and an extremely large-fruited, late season, productive selection with dark fruit and excellent flavor. These selections may be transferred to commercial propagators to produce plants for grower testing next year. In 2007-08, the effort on developing new strawberry cultivars will continue with additional crosses made, seedlings planted and selections evaluated. ADODR Statement: The ADODR met with the cooperating PI and project personnel at meetings during the year and discussed results through phone calls, e-mail, and in person.