2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to operate a fall and winter rice nursery for the purpose of advancing plant generations and seed increase. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center (DB NRRC) of the USDA, ARS, SPA will provide rice seed stock for increase and harvest the plots and the Cooperator will plant and manage the research plots during the growing season. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the University of Puerto Rico. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 6225-21000-008-00D, Use of Diverse Germplasm for Genetic Improvement of Rice. Winter nursery facilities at Lajas, Puerto Rico were operated in collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez during 2007. Communication with research staff to discuss the scope of work, implementation of research, cultural management of field nurseries, and harvest plans was conducted via email and phone conversations six times throughout the year. Three nurseries were planted, including a total of some 5600 rows of early generation breeding materials, mapping populations for the USDA CSREES RiceCAP project, seed increases of a new aromatic release, and low inventory accessions from the National Small Grains Collection. Selections were successfully harvested by staff of the University of Puerto Rico and ARS in Dec. 2006, April 2007, and May 2007.