2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Relative cold tolerance of A. kolomikta accessions will be evaluated by testing dormant scionwood with two runs over two winter seasons primarily using material from Minnesota and supplemented by material obtained from the NCGR in December or January and acclimated in Minnesota prior to the freezing tests. Fruit and plants of the accessions will be evaluated for the following traits in orchards at Victoria or Roseville, Minnesota as fruit are available over the evaluation period. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Scionwood Collection and Storage; Actinidia kolomikta scionwood will be collected from most accessions in early December from the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center (HRC) in Victoria, Minnesota and supplemented as needed from an auxiliary collection in Roseville, Minnesota. Additional material will be obtained from the USDA- NCGR in Corvallis, Oregon. The scionwood will then be stored outdoors in a plastic container in a shaded location to emulate natural temperature conditions. Scionwood Preparation; In preparation for the respective freeze tests, one bundle of the A. kolomikta scionwood will be unpacked and the sticks cut into 5 cm segments of approximately the same diameter. A total of five replicate pieces will be cut for each temperature increment. For the freeze tests, one scionwood segment will be randomly selected from each sealable bag and a thermocouple inserted into the pith. The bag will then be resealed and the remaining scionwood pieces will be distributed horizontally in a plane within the bag. The bags will be “sandwiched” between the freezer bottom and an overlying metal plate for increased thermal heat transfer. Documents SCA with U. of Minnesota. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Minnesota. 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. Luby and collaborators conducted the following research towards the agreements objectives: This project involves the characterization of Actinidia kolomikta to identify accessions that are suitable for future fruit-breeding efforts. Specifically we are evaluating accessions held by, or destined for, the NCGR collection for important fruit and plant traits, including relative cold tolerance estimated by laboratory freezing tests. Freeze tests were conducted to assess the relative cold-resistance of available accessions. These consisted of a: Mid-winter freeze (February 17) that followed the winter’s minimum temperature that same month. A total of 16 accessions of A. kolomikta were evaluated at temperature range of -27 C to -42 C plus a control. Early spring freeze (March 30) involving 15 A. kolomikta accessions across a temperature range from – 2 C to -18 C plus a control. This freeze run was performed one week before the commencement of sap flow. Additional phenological observations were recorded on sap flow, bud break, leaf burst, flowering, etc. This information also included some qualitative observations on leaf variegation (or lack thereof) for all of the named accessions. We have also made comparisons on relative sun tolerance for various accessions within the species. In wide crosses, we have also identified accessions that are more receptive to pollen from other Actinidia species. We have also examined the distribution of A. kolomikta roots from randomly selected plants grown with woodchip mulch. Quantitative and qualitative information on fruit characteristics will be collected this summer. We also plan on conducting another freeze test in the autumn following leaf senescence. This will likely be performed in early November at a time of year when rapid drops in temperature can be experienced in the Upper Midwest. This information will round out the freeze-test cycle and the accumulated information will be presented in the final report. Acquired information will be presented to interested growers in February 2008 at the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual meeting. Acquired data will be submitted for publication. 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.