2012 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: The specific objectives of this project include selection and development of inbred lines with abiotic stress resistance including drought, heat, corn ear worm (CEW) resistance, and the evaluation of new breeding crosses. Approximately 100 testcrosses between GEM lines (developed in Lubbock) were planted and will be evaluated for grain yield, CEW, and drought tolerance (using controlled irrigation) at three locations in the Texas High Plains. Important genetic backgrounds being tested include lines derived from ANTIG01:N16, CH05012:N12, CUBA164:S20, DK888:Na08f, DKXL380:S08a, FS8A(T):N11a, and GUAT209:N19 (being tested in top crosses and as lines per se). Thirty new GEM breeding crosses were planted in Lubbock under dryland and well-watered plots to assess drought tolerance. Information disclosure forms were submitted to Technology and Commercialization Office of Texas A&M University for lines derived from BR52051:N04, CUBA117:S15, and DK888:N11. Four GEM derived lines are being commercialized for grain, and four for silage derived from GUAT209:N19 which was converted to bm3 (brown midrib).