The Journal of Plant Science and Phytopathology (JPSP) is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing. The journal follows the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Authors, reviewers, and editors must adhere to these principles to ensure research integrity and transparency.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to JPSP must:

• Ensure Originality: Submitted work must be original and must not have been published or submitted elsewhere.
• Provide Accurate Data: Research findings must be presented honestly, without fabrication or manipulation.
• Acknowledge Contributions: All individuals who contributed significantly to the research should be listed as authors.
• Disclose Conflicts of Interest: Any financial or personal interests that could influence the research should be declared.
• Obtain Ethical Approvals: Research involving plants, microorganisms, and genetic modifications must adhere to international and institutional ethical guidelines.
• Cooperate with Corrections: Authors should work with editors to issue corrections or retractions if errors are discovered post-publication.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers ensure the quality and credibility of published research in JPSP. Reviewers must:

• Maintain Confidentiality: Manuscripts and review comments must not be shared or discussed outside the review process.
• Provide Constructive Criticism: Reviews should be unbiased, fair, and aimed at improving the manuscript.
• Evaluate Scientific Rigor: Manuscripts should be assessed for their validity, methodology, and contribution to plant science and phytopathology.
• Declare Conflicts of Interest: If a reviewer has a conflict with the authors or research topic, they should notify the editorial team.
• Adhere to Deadlines: Timely reviews help maintain the journal's efficient publication schedule.

Responsibilities of Editors

The editorial team of JPSP is responsible for ensuring the journal's integrity and ethical publication practices. Editors must:

• Ensure Fair Peer Review: Manuscripts are evaluated based on academic merit without bias.
• Maintain Confidentiality: Editorial staff must not disclose manuscript information to anyone other than those directly involved in the review process.
• Handle Ethical Violations: Any cases of suspected research misconduct will be thoroughly investigated.
• Facilitate Retractions and Corrections: If errors or ethical concerns arise post-publication, appropriate actions will be taken to correct or retract the article.

Ethical Considerations in Plant Science Research

Authors must adhere to ethical guidelines related to plant science research, including:

• Biodiversity Protection: Studies involving plant specimens must comply with biodiversity conservation laws and treaties.
• Genetic Modification Ethics: Research on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must comply with regulatory guidelines.
• Pesticide and Chemical Safety: Studies involving chemicals must ensure environmental and ecological safety.

Addressing Research Misconduct

JPSP enforces a strict policy against research misconduct, including data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. If misconduct is suspected:

• The editorial team will conduct an independent investigation.
• If proven, actions such as manuscript rejection, retraction, or reporting to the author’s institution will be taken.

Ensuring research integrity is fundamental to maintaining the credibility and impact of JPSP. Authors, reviewers, and editors must uphold the highest ethical standards.

For ethical inquiries, please contact the editorial office at [email protected].