The Journal of Plant Science and Phytopathology (JPSP) is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing. Authors submitting manuscripts to the journal must adhere to ethical guidelines that ensure transparency, integrity, and credibility in plant science and phytopathology research.

Authorship and Contribution

All authors listed on a manuscript should have made significant contributions to the research and writing process. Authors must:

• Substantially contribute to the study's conception, methodology, experimentation, or analysis.
• Be involved in drafting, reviewing, or revising the manuscript critically.
• Approve the final version before submission.
• Agree to be accountable for the integrity and accuracy of the research.

Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet authorship criteria should be acknowledged appropriately.

Originality and Plagiarism

The JPSP upholds strict policies against plagiarism and duplicate publication. Authors must:

• Ensure their manuscript is original and free from plagiarism.
• Properly cite and credit all sources, including figures, tables, and datasets.
• Refrain from submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
• Avoid self-plagiarism by properly referencing their own previously published work.

Plagiarism in any form, including data fabrication or falsification, will lead to immediate rejection or retraction.

Data Integrity and Reproducibility

Authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of their research findings. The journal expects:

• Raw data to be available for editorial review if requested.
• Proper documentation of experimental procedures, genetic sequencing, and statistical analysis.
• Transparency in data collection, field trials, and laboratory methods.

Any manipulation or fabrication of data will be considered a serious ethical violation.

Conflicts of Interest

All authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their research findings, including:

• Financial relationships with agricultural companies, biotech firms, or funding agencies.
• Personal or professional affiliations that may bias the study.
• Any external funding received for the research.

Failure to disclose conflicts of interest may result in retraction or rejection of the manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Compliance

For research involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs), plant pathogens, or environmental impact studies, authors must:

• Obtain approval from relevant regulatory or ethics committees.
• Ensure compliance with national and international biosafety guidelines.
• Clearly state any ethical considerations within the manuscript.

Studies involving field experiments, indigenous plant species, or traditional ecological knowledge should adhere to ethical research practices and respect local and indigenous rights.

Plant and Genetic Material Compliance

The JPSP requires authors to comply with international regulations when dealing with plant species and genetic material. Authors must:

• Follow the Nagoya Protocol for the access and use of genetic resources.
• Provide necessary permits and approvals for collecting and studying plant species.
• Ensure that plant names and classifications adhere to standard taxonomic references.

Failure to comply with these regulations may lead to manuscript rejection or legal consequences.

Corrections and Retractions

The JPSP maintains a policy for correcting errors and addressing ethical concerns. Authors must:

• Inform the journal immediately if they discover significant errors in their published work.
• Cooperate with the editorial board in issuing corrections or retractions when necessary.
• Report any suspected research misconduct related to their study.

Articles found to contain ethical violations or unreliable findings may be subject to retraction.

Submission Declaration

By submitting a manuscript to the JPSP, authors confirm that:

• The manuscript has not been submitted or published elsewhere.
• All co-authors have reviewed and approved the submission.
• The work complies with ethical research and publication guidelines.

For any ethical concerns or clarifications, authors are encouraged to contact the editorial office.