2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Develop early maturity (RM<95 days) germplasm with value added-traits (VAT) utilizing exotic sources originating from the GEM Project. VAT's include composition for protein, oil, and starch. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Top crosses will be evaluated for performance in early maturity environments of North Dakota. Lines will be selected based on a benchmark for yield and moisture of 101%, and 95-100% respectively. The selected lines will be studied for VAT's. Three stiff-stalk, and six non-stiff stalk populations will be advanced and further selected in the nursery for future development. 3.Progress Report This project relates to the primary objectives of the parent project which includes the development and evaluation of very early maturity germplasm (90 days relative maturity) with key value-added traits. These traits include protein, oil, and starch composition, and fermentable ethanol. Early maturity germplasm is deficient in genetic diversity and the long term impact of this project will broaden the germplasm for the northern US Corn Belt region. In 2007, yield trials were conducted with lines derived from AR16026:S17-66-1-B x ND200 crossed to industry testers. At least 15 GEM top crosses were identified with yields above 101% of the commercial check mean and are being advanced in 2008. Grain quality data was measured in January, 2008, with the top ten GEM lines ranging from 16.47-16.73% fermentable starch, 10.17-10.45% protein, and 4.03-4.32% oil. Most of the GEM hybrids exceeded the level of fermentable starch for the commercial checks in the experiment. For 2008, S1 families from two stiff stalk, and four non-stiff stalk GEM populations are being worked in the nursery as part of an MS graduate student project. The methods for monitoring activities include reviewing progress reports submitted by the Cooperator in July, and in December for the Annual GEM Cooperator Meeting. E-mail correspondence is done on a regular basis during the growing season.