The Journal of Plant Science and Phytopathology (JPSP) follows a rigorous peer review process to ensure the publication of high-quality research in plant biology, pathology, genetics, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture. The journal is committed to maintaining scientific integrity, transparency, and fairness in the evaluation of submitted manuscripts.

Peer Review Process

1. Initial Manuscript Screening

Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial review by the editorial team to determine if it meets the scope and quality standards of the journal. The assessment includes:

• Relevance to plant science, phytopathology, or agricultural research.
• Compliance with ethical guidelines, including proper experimental procedures.
• Adherence to journal formatting and referencing standards.
• Scientific soundness and originality of the study.

Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be rejected at this stage without external peer review.

2. Selection of Reviewers

Manuscripts passing the initial screening are assigned to expert reviewers specializing in plant science, pathology, genetics, or related fields. Reviewers are selected based on their academic background, research experience, and prior reviewing contributions.

3. Double-Blind Peer Review

The JPSP follows a double-blind review process, where both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to ensure impartial and unbiased evaluation.

4. Reviewer Assessment

Reviewers assess manuscripts based on the following key criteria:

• Scientific Rigor: The study should have a strong experimental design, robust methodology, and appropriate data analysis.
• Originality and Novelty: The research should present new insights, innovative techniques, or novel findings in plant science.
• Clarity and Structure: The manuscript should be well-organized, clearly written, and logically presented.
• Reproducibility: Experimental protocols should be described in detail to allow validation and replication.
• Ethical Compliance: The study must adhere to ethical standards, including proper handling of plant materials and genetic resources.

5. Editorial Decision

Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the editorial team makes one of the following decisions:

• Accept: The manuscript is approved for publication without further modifications.
• Minor Revisions: The manuscript requires minor changes before final acceptance.
• Major Revisions: The manuscript requires substantial modifications and may undergo a second round of peer review.
• Reject: The manuscript does not meet the journal’s quality or relevance criteria.

6. Revision and Resubmission

For manuscripts requiring revisions, authors must submit a revised version with a detailed response addressing the reviewers’ comments. The revised manuscript may be reassessed by the original reviewers before final acceptance.

7. Final Acceptance and Publication

Once the manuscript meets all necessary revisions and quality standards, it is accepted for publication. The final version undergoes editing, formatting, and proofreading before being published online and in print.

8. Post-Publication Review

The JPSP encourages post-publication discussions and corrections. If significant concerns regarding the accuracy or ethics of a published article arise, appropriate corrections, clarifications, or retractions may be issued.

9. Ethical Compliance

The journal follows the ethical guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Any cases of suspected ethical misconduct, such as data manipulation, improper citation, or conflicts of interest, will be investigated thoroughly.

The JPSP is committed to a fair, transparent, and timely peer review process. For any inquiries regarding the review process, please contact the editorial office.