2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To characterize, evaluate, and maintain cotton germplasm and to integrate data into the GRIN and CottonDB databases. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Germplasm data will be recorded as part of the GRIN and CottonDB database system. Accessions will be characterized by DNA molecular marker profiles to establish relationships among exotic and cultivated cotton cultivars. Germplasm accessions will be increased in the winter nursery in Mexico for distribution to the user community. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Texas A&M University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 6202-21000-024-00D, Cotton Genetic Resource Management. Cotton lags behind other major crops in the development of genomic tools; the goal of this project is to build those resources so as to advance parent project research efforts and those of the larger cotton research community. Work in FY 2007 on the development and mapping of SSR markers in the cotton genome provided essential resources for identification of core sets of portable markers for germplasm characterization. The potential impact of work done under this project thus far is significant because substantial duplications exist among and within the cotton collections in the U.S. and around the world; the markers developed will greatly facilitate definitive identification of duplications and thus better focus the ongoing work of researchers and breeders. Ongoing work by this project will continue to provide essential molecular descriptors for systematic conservation, characterization, and evaluation plans, and for accelerated discovery of useful genes from the thousands of cotton germplasm accessions available for study. The work will ultimately result in improved cotton varieties available to U.S. cotton farmers. The ADODR of this project and the cooperator are located in close physical proximity, and are in contact with one another on an ongoing basis. Because of this close physical relationship, the ADODR and the cooperator (or key personnel working under the cooperator) meet and discuss the direction and progress of the project on a regular basis.