2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research is to accelerate development and release of improved sorghum, wheat, and forage cultivars and germplasm by the cooperative use of precision irrigation systems. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Breeding will be conducted using irrigated nurseries, and improvements in germplasm traits will be determined under irrigation. ARS will conduct the genetic and breeding components of the research and the University of Nebraska will conduct the irrigation and soil management components of the research. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5440-21220-024-00D Genetic Improvement of Sorghum for Enhancing Energy Yield, Nutrient Availability, and Disease Resistance. Three sorghum genetic stocks with “stacked” genes reducing CAD and OMT activity resulting in reduced lignin content were evaluated under precision irrigation, described, and were released. This was the first year of the project, and impact of accomplishments originating directly from this project are still premature. However, impact from a previous and similar project are becoming more and more significant. The variety Atlas bmr-12 is being marketed for under license for commercial use by four seed companies. Previously released genetic stocks with individual genes reducing CAD or OMT have been widely distributed and serve as the basis for much new basic research on sorghum for feed and bioenergy, and at least one of the genetic stocks may be in use by private industry as a seed parent for hybrids. The ADODR and cooperator are located on the same campus and the project is monitored through frequent meetings, telephone conversations, and emails with the Cooperator.