1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
The objective of this cooperative research project is to improve efficiency in the development and testing of new sugarcane varieties through exchange and evaluation of germplasm with the ultimate goal of releasing new, higher-yielding pest-resistant sugarcane varieties.

1b.Approach (from AD-416)
ARS and the Cooperator will exchange seed,and/or vegetative buds of experimental lines and new varieties (material) for: use in their respective breeding programs, testing and evaluation for specific traits of interest, or as commercial cultivars.

3.Progress Report
This report serves to document research conducted under a Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Sugarcane Research Unit (SRU) and the Centro Guatemalteco de Investigación y Capacitación de la Caña de Azúcar (CENGICAÑA) in Guatemala. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in-house project 6435-21000-012-00D, "Genetic Improvement of Sugarcane by Conventional and Molecular Approaches." The objective of this cooperative research project is to obtain improved efficiency in the development and testing of new sugarcane varieties through exchange and evaluation of germplasm with the ultimate goal of releasing new, higher-yielding pest-resistant sugarcane varieties. To accomplish this objective, ARS and the Cooperator will exchange seed, experimental lines, and/or new varieties for use in their respective breeding programs and/or for testing and evaluation for specific traits of interest, or as commercial varieties in the respective countries. In FY 2007, SRU scientists sent 11 experimental varieties to CENGICAÑA and requested four experimental varieties from CENGICAÑA in return for use in their respective breeding programs through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Quarantine Facility in Beltsville, Maryland. These clones will be utilized in the respective breeding program in 2008 (CENGICAÑA) and 2009 (SRU) following the mandatory quarantine period. Monitoring activities to include the selection of experimental varieties to be exchanged, documentation required to accommodate shipments, shipping dates, and general condition of material upon arrival in the importing country is generally done by e-mail exchanges between the SRU’s Authorized Departmental Officer’s Representative (ADODR) and the Sponsor’s Designated Representative with CENGICAÑA. This research supports Component IIb (Genetic Improvement) of National Program 301 (Plant Microbial and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement).