2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Evaluate GEM breeding crosses and develop germplasm for abiotic (drought and heat) and biotic stress (CEW and aflatoxin) tolerance; select, advance and release inbred lines from breeding crosses containing GEM germplasm. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) GEM germplasm will be evaluated for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance under controlled irrigation management. Top crosses will be made with the most tolerant inbreds and yield trials conducted. Evaluation will be conducted for CEW, and aflatoxin level, and the most resistant sources advanced by inbreeding. New exotic breeding crosses will be evaluated to identify and prioritize for future breeding under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. 3.Progress Report This project relates to the primary objectives of the parent project which includes the development and evaluation of genotypes for biotic and abiotic stresses-drought/heat, corn ear worm (CEW), and grain mold resistance. The specific objectives of this project include selection and development of inbred lines with abiotic stress resistance, and the evaluation of new breeding crosses. Approximately 100 testcrosses were evaluated for grain yield, CEW, and drought tolerance (using controlled irrigation) at three locations in the Texas High Plains. Four inbred lines look very promising and disclosure forms are being submitted to the Technology Commercialization Office of Texas A&M University. The four inbreds were derived from the GEM breeding crosses BR52051:N04, CUBA117:S15, and two inbreds from DK888:N11. Test crosses of two of the inbreds (BR52051:N04 and CUBA117:S15) also had low levels of aflatoxin. Two inbreds derived from GUAT209:N1925, and DK888:N11 are being converted to bm1 and bm3 respectively for the brown mid-rib trait for silage quality. Twenty new GEM breeding crosses were evaluated for drought tolerance, and agronomic performance at Lubbock. The methods for monitoring activities include (1) observing germplasm developed by the Cooperator and (2) progress reports submitted by the Cooperator in July and December for the Annual GEM Cooperator Meeting. E-mail exchanges were periodically initiated by the ADODR or Cooperator on status of experiments during the growing season, and availability of new germplasm provided by the ADODR to the Cooperator. Top crosses and inbreds developed by the Cooperator have been planted and observed in the Ames nursery, and Field Day demonstration plot.