2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 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 (seed and vegetative sets) with the ultimate goal of releasing new, higher-yielding pest-resistant sugarcane varieties. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Through the duration of this agreement, ARS and the Cooperator will exchange seed and vegetative material of sugarcane germplasm consisting of experimental breeding lines and elite varieties for testing and evaluation for specific traits of interest or as commercial cultivars. 3.Progress Report The following elite sugarcane clones (HoCP 04-838, HoCP 05-902,Ho 05-961, Ho 06-537, Ho 06-563, Ho 07-604, Ho 07-612, Ho 07-613, and Ho 07-617) were shipped to the Sabaha Research Station in Alexandria, Egypt, in September 2010 for quarantine purposes. Once cleared for quarantine, seed pieces were to be used as parental clones in their breeding program as well as to be evaluated for their commercial potential in Egypt. However, the material did not clear Customs in Egypt. Monitoring activities were done by e-mail exchanges between the Sugarcane Research Unit's Authorized Departmental Officer's Representative (ADODR) and the Sponsor's Designated Representative.