2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Support operations of the Cotton Winter Nursery in Tecoman, Mexico. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Provide the personnel, supplies, and equipment necessary to support the operation of the Cotton Winter Nursery in Tecoman, Colima, Mexico for maintenance of cotton germplasm and to advance the enhancement of cotton germplasm. 3.Progress Report This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the National Cotton Council of America. Additional details of research can be found in the report for parent project 6202-21000-024-00D, Cotton Genetic Resource Management. The goal of this project is to assure achievement of cotton germplasm base expansion by providing oversight of the Cotton Winter Nursery (CWN) in Mexico for germplasm increases and breeder increases. There is ongoing need to expand the cotton germplasm base available in the U.S.; the apparent decline of cotton yields has increased concern that genetic vulnerability is a major contributor and less than 1% of cotton germplasm accessions have been explored. In FY 2007, fiber samples produced under this project were analyzed, and critical seed samples were placed in storage and made available to requesting researchers. Ongoing work by this project will assure long-term availability to cotton breeders of the large diversity of cotton germplasm resources maintained by the CWN facility. Ultimately, improved and more productive cotton varieties will be developed for use by farmers in the U.S. The project ADODR monitors the cooperator’s performance under this agreement primarily through a formal Steering Committee, which the ADODR chairs. Composition of the Committee includes key cotton researchers from government, academia, and industry; scheduled meetings of the Committee are held three times a year and routinely involve detailed discussions of work progress, problems, and priorities. The ADODR maintains routine communications with the cooperator, CWN personnel, and members of the Steering Committee by phone, e-mail, and face-to-face interactions as appropriate.