2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Acquire and store key native seed germplasm collections made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Western US. 2. Manage and distribute seed from BLM collected germplasm at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS). 3. Conduct research to maintain, characterize, and facilitate utilization of native germplasm. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Native plants on public lands are of increasing importance as a commodity for revegetation and reclamation activities on public lands. Native germplasm needs to be collected and made available for research and utilization. Collections of key native species have and are being made by the BLM, but cold storage or distribution facilities are lacking. The WRPIS has the cold storage, distribution, regeneration, and research facilities to maintain this plant germplasm. The WRPIS will acquire key seed collections from the BLM, provide cold storage, and distribute seed for research and utilization. The WRPIS will also investigate regeneration methodology, characterize selected germplasm, publish in appropriate journals, and enter data into the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database. Documents Reimbursable with BLM. Log 27416. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and Bureu of Land Management. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 5348-21000-020-00D Plant Germplasm Conservation and Research. Native seed collections through the Seeds of Success (SOS) program cooperative with Kew Gardens have been received, catalogued, processed, and stored within the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). An additional 678 accessions were received in winter and spring shipments in 2007 making a total of 1293 accession representing 1209 species. Collection details for the first 615 accessions were documented in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) and the remainder will be completed by fall 2007. At least 5,000 seeds are placed in long-term storage (18°C); half at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP), Fort Collins CO, and half at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS), Pullman WA. The remaining seeds of each accession are placed in the WRPIS active collection at 4°C for potential distribution to the user community. A total of 424 accessions of the first 615 had sufficient seed quality to be in the active collection and available as needed for research and testing. A collection of 144 Poa secunda (Sandburg bluegrass) was completed in the summer 2007 in the Great Basin for evaluation studies starting in 2008. For Pseudoroegneria spicata (Bluebunch wheatgrass) and Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian ricegrass), field studies were established in 2006-07 on accessions from diverse locations. Data on more than 15 descriptors was recorded in the 2007 growing season for each species. Data collection will continue in 2008 and genecology analyses used to determine how genetic variation across the landscape varies with environmental factors so adaptive seed zones can be developed.