Caucasia is considered to be a gene center for cultivated fruit trees (Vavilov, 1980) and many kind of fruit tree genetic resources are reported to grow in North Caucasia of Russia (Sanada, 1996). To investigate genetic diversity of fruit trees and collect useful breeding materials, a collaborative exploration mission for fruit tree genetic resources was undertaken in Armenia and Georgia from July 12 to August 17 in 1998. The fruit collecting mission was organized by the N. I. Vavilov All-Russia Institute of Plant Industry (VIR), Research Institute of Viticulture, Wine-making and Horticulture of Armenia and Skra Experiment Station, Gori region. The schedule, route and equipment for this exploration were arranged mainly by VIR. The team traveled on roads around the Aragats mountains from Jul. 15 to Jul. 18. We could collect fruit genetic resources such as Malus, Pyrus and Prunus species in mountainous areas of Hrazdan and Achundov near the road. Then the team traveled in the south-east region of Armenia from Jul. 19 to Jul. 25. The south region of Yerevan was very hot and dry, we could not find any fruit tree genetic resources except for wild Prunus amygdalus on mountain slopes. In Goris, wild species of Malus, Pyrus, and Prunus amygdalus were found on mountain slopes. The VIR researchers traveled to Karabakh region which was surrounded by the regions of Azerbaydzhan. They collected many kinds of wild fruit tree genetic resources such as Malus, Pyrus, Prunus, Mespilus, Corylus and Cornus. These collected materials were provided to the Japanese side. After the collection in Armenia, the team transferred to Tbilisi in Georgia. The team traveled in western regions of Georgia along the road from Jul. 27 to Aug. 2. Wild species of Malus, Pyrus and Prunus avium were observed in mountainous areas and forested plains. We visited Skra Experiment Station, Gori region in this duration, and local cultivars of Prunus aviuum, P. cerasus and wild Prunus species were provided by this Experiment Station. From Aug. 2 the team traveled to the eastern region of Georgia. The team climbed up the slopes of Pankisi valley in Achmeta, where we could find many fruit tree genetic resources of Prunus avium, P. cerasifera, Pyrus sp., Crataegus sp., Mespilus germanica, Corylus sp. and Castanea sp. In the diverse fruit tree species observed, Mespilus germanica and Prumus cerasifera were predominant. During this exploration 86 samples belonging to 7 genera were collected
