Aims and Scope

The Journal of Crop Improvement provides an international forum to evaluate and review latest advancements in basic and applied aspects of crop production on a global basis. The journal directly addresses emerging issues, new strategies for new needs, and future challenges of crop production, epscially those leading to a secure world food supply and resource conservation using environmentally-benign technologies. The Journal of Crop Improvement intends to create a unique niche in the crop production literaure-by developing a series of thematic issues on cutting-edge topics or research fronts in the field-following charter issue. The journal promises to be a welcome and respected source of unparalleled, preeminent knowledge from articles that reveal novel concepts; achieve a new symthesis based on multifaceted, multilevel, and multidisciplinary approaches; identify key gaps in the knowledge that m ight be addressed by further research; and offer technical solutions to critical global problems in crop production. Articles are presented in an understandable format which can be directly utilized by students, teachers, researchers, practitioners, and advisors in the fields of agronomy, soil science, genetics and plant preeding, molecular biology and biotechnology, crop physiology and biochemistry, ecology, agroclimatology, plant pathology, integrated pest management, seed science and technology, agrobiodiversity and other cognate sciences that are of prime interest to crop production.

Submission of Manuscripts

Manuscripts including all text, figures, and tables should be submitted to the website of CriticalMath at http://JCI.criticalmath.com. Manuscripts should be submitted as MS Word files. Each manuscript must be accompanied by a statement that it has not been published elsewhere or submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere. Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted material from other sources and are required to sign an agreement for the transfer of copyright to the publisher. All accepted manuscripts, artwork, and photographs become the property of the publisher. Format. All parts of the manuscript should be typewritten and double-spaced. Number manuscript pages consecutively throughout the paper. Abstract: Each article should be summarized in an abstract of less than 150 words. Keywords: Abstracts should be accompanied by two to six keywords which should facilitate indexing and data retrieval purposes. Running Head: Authors should also supply a shortened version of the title suitable for the running head, not exceeding 50 character spaces.

Illustrations

• 300 dpi or higher
• sized to fit on journal page
• EPS, TIFF, or PSD format only
• submitted as separate files, not embedded in text files

Color Reproduction

Color illustrations will be considered for publication; however, the author will be required to bear the full cost involved in color art reproduction. Color art can be purchased for online only conversion and reproduction or for print + online reproduction. Color reprints can only be ordered if print + online reproduction costs are paid. Rates for color art reproduction are:

• Online Only Reproduction: $225 for the first page of color; $100 per page for each of the next three pages of color. A maximum charge of $525 applies.

• Print + Online Reproduction: $900 for the first page of color; $450 per page for the next three pages of color. A custom quote will be provided for articles with more
than 4 pages of color.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures should not be embedded in the text, but should be included as separate sheets or files. A short descriptive title should appear above each table with a clear legend and any footnotes suitably identified below. All units must be included. Figures should be completely labeled, taking into account necessary size reduction. Captions should be typed, double spaced, on a separate sheet.

Equations

Wherever possible, mathematical equations should be typewritten, with subscripts and superscripts clearly shown. Identify unusual or ambiguous symbols in the margin when they first occur. To simplify typesetting, please use fractional exponents instead of root signs; and the solidus (/) in simple fractions.

References

Identify references in text by the Chicago (name and date) system: either “Recent work (Smith, 1970)...” or “Recently Smith (1970) has found...” With three or more names, use the form “Smith et al. (1970)” in text. The full list should be collected at the end of the paper in alphabetical order. Examples:

Journal:
Vuylsteke, D., Swennen, R., Oritz, R., 1993. Registration of 14 improved tropical Musa plantain hybrids with Black Sigatoka resistance. HortSci. 28, 957–959.

Book:
Stover, R.H., Simmonds, N.W., 1987. Bananas, 3rd edition. Longman, London.

Conference Paper:
Swennen, R., 1990. Limits of morphotaxonomy: names and synonyms of plantain in Africa and elsewhere. In Jarret, R.L. (Ed.). Identification of Genetic Diversity in the genus Musa. Proceedings of an International Workship. Los Banos, Philippines, 5–10 September 1988. INIBAP,Montpellier, France. pp.172–210.

Website:
Glaz, B. 2005. Sugarcane response to 21-day floods applied prior to harvest. Online. Available at www.assct.org/journal/JASSCT%20PDF%20Files/vol25/A05-01%20Glaz%20Final.pdf. 

Proofs

Authors receive pages proofs of their articles via email to be proofread, corrected, and returned within the given time frame as specified in the proofs email.

Reprints

Each corresponding author of an article will receive three issues and a PDF file of the article via email. This file is for personal use only and may not be copied and disseminated in any form without prior written permission from Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.