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 (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 vegetative material of a 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 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 Brisbane, Australia, 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 Australia. Field planting is expected in 2012. The material shipped in 2010 will be planted to the field in 2011 for observations on growth and resistance/susceptibility to disease and insects endemic to Australia. New shipments from the 2009 selection cycle at the SRU are planned for September 2011. The ultimate goal of this exchange is to release new, higher-yielding, pest-resistant sugarcane varieties. 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 are generally done by e-mail exchanges between the SRU’s Authorized Departmental Officer’s Representative (ADODR) and the Sponsor’s Designated Representative.