4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006.
None.

4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any.
None.

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

4d.Progress report.
This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES), U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5402-21000-011-00D titled Plant Germplasm Preservation Research. The genetic diversity (as determined using microsatellite markers) was evaluated for more than 1000 Malus sieversii accessions maintained in the NPGS. Data collection has been completed for more than 500 accessions of Malus orientalis, and analyses are underway. Results were presented at the International Rosaceae Genomics Conference held in Napier, NZ in March 2006. Efforts to pursue international standards (standard cultivars and primers) for Malus genetic diversity analyses were successful.