2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Collect Indian Ricegrass from diverse sites and ecological areas in the Great Basin in areas previously uncollected, especially in the northern Great Basin. 2. Based on the current collections representing the Southern Great Basin, establish common gardens studies in contrasting environments and measure numerous phenotypic factors associated with growth and development. Continue this research on new material collected from the northern and central Great Basin. 3. Compare the patterns in phenotypic variation with molecular variation among and within Indian Ricegrass populations collected in the Great Basin. 4. Identify seed transfer zones along with complementary in situ conservation sites. 5. Make source identified plant material available through the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station seed repository and the National Plant Germplasm System. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The Western United States includes vast areas of public land managed by federal agencies. The conservation and utilization of native plant resources on these lands, especially after disturbances such as fire, is becoming increasingly important. Yet genetic information on the best seed sources to use for restoration and reclamation in a given area is generally lacking. An understanding of the geographic and ecological distance that plant material should be transferred from original source populations is critically needed. An important species for restoration in the Great Basin is Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). Current releases of Indian Ricegrass are useful but there is no information on how populations vary across the landscape and which may be most appropriate for a given area. Considering the importance of Indian Ricegrass in the Great Basin plant community, source identified germplasm for the Great Basin is critically needed. This information will greatly facilitate large-scale seed propagation efforts by growers, as well as ensure the adaptability of plant materials used in restoration and revegetation projects. Documents Reimbursable with Forest Service. Log 31855. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between ARS and Rocky Mountain Forest Service. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 5348-21000-020-00D Plant Germplasm Conservation and Research. Comprehensive collections and evaluation of Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian ricegrass) and Poa secunda (Sandberg bluegrass) have not been in the Great Basin. This is needed to identify adapted germplasm critical for revegetation, especially after fires. In 2006, 35 collections of Indian ricegrass were acquired from field locations, mostly in the northern Great Basin. In 2007, an additional 15 collection were acquired from south-central locations. Additional locations are needed to represent Great Basin environmental diversity and will be acquired in 2008. In 2007, a collection of 144 Great Basin Sandberg bluegrass accessions was completed and an additional 150 accessions from Washington and Oregon were acquired. This material will be used to establish evaluation trails at Fallon NV and Central Ferry WA in 2008. A study involving 120 accessions of Indian ricegrass from the eastern Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau was established in two environments (no irrigation/irritation) and replicated five times at Central Ferry WA. 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.