Instructions for Authors
Comprehensive guidelines for preparing and submitting your plant biology manuscript.
Publication Excellence in Plant Science
The Journal of Advances in Plant Biology maintains the highest standards of scientific publishing. Following these guidelines ensures rapid processing and positions your research for maximum impact within the plant science community.
Questions? Contact our editorial team at [email protected]
Original Articles
- Full-length research studies
- Maximum 6,000 words body text
- Structured abstract 250 words
- Up to 60 references
- 8 figures/tables combined
- Supplementary data welcome
Review Articles
- Comprehensive topic surveys
- Maximum 8,000 words body text
- Unstructured abstract 300 words
- Up to 150 references
- Summary figures encouraged
- Future perspectives required
Protocol Papers
- Detailed experimental protocols
- Maximum 4,000 words body text
- Step-by-step instructions
- Troubleshooting sections
- Video protocols welcome
- Reproducibility focus
Language and Format
Submit in clear English using Microsoft Word format. Double-space text with consecutive page numbers. Use Times New Roman 12pt or Arial 11pt font consistently throughout.
Title Page
Include full title, running title max 50 characters, all author names with affiliations, corresponding author details with email, ORCID identifiers, and word count.
Abstract
Structured abstract max 250 words with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions for original research. Include plant species studied and key findings.
Keywords
Provide 5-7 keywords including plant species names (Latin binomials), research techniques, and biological processes studied.
Original Research: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, References
Review Articles: Abstract, Introduction, Main Body with descriptive subheadings, Future Perspectives, Conclusions, References
Methods Papers: Abstract, Introduction, Materials, Procedure, Expected Results, Troubleshooting, References
- Identify plant species with accepted Latin binomials and cultivar/accession information
- Describe growth conditions including light, temperature, photoperiod, and growth medium
- Specify statistical methods with software version used for analysis
- Include sample size justification and biological replicate information
- Reference published methods; provide detailed protocols for novel techniques
- Deposit sequences in GenBank/ENA and provide accession numbers
Replication
Report biological replicates (independent experiments) separately from technical replicates. Minimum three biological replicates required for most analyses.
Precision
Report exact P-values rather than thresholds. Include 95% confidence intervals for key comparisons and effect size estimates where appropriate.
Visualization
Show individual data points in figures where feasible. Avoid bar graphs for small sample sizes; use dot plots or box plots instead.
Multiple Testing
Apply appropriate corrections for multiple comparisons. Clearly state which adjustment method was used and rationale.
Collection & Access
- Nagoya Protocol compliance for genetic resources
- Collection permits for field sampling
- CITES compliance for protected species
- Institutional biosafety approval for GMOs
- Herbarium voucher specimen deposition
Sharing & Access
- Sequence data in GenBank/ENA/DDBJ
- Transcriptomic data in GEO/ArrayExpress
- Metabolomics in MetaboLights
- Supporting datasets in Dryad/Zenodo
- Code in GitHub with DOI
Conflicts
- Commercial interests declared
- Patent applications disclosed
- Industry funding sources
- Material transfer agreements
- Germplasm access restrictions
- Resolution: Minimum 300 dpi for photographs, 600 dpi for line art. Use TIFF or high-quality PNG.
- Scale Bars: Required for all microscopy images with magnification stated in legend.
- Plant Images: Include scale reference and identify developmental stage, tissue type, and treatment.
- Gel Images: Submit original uncropped images as supplementary files for review.
- Phylogenies: Provide tree files in Newick format as supplementary data.
- Color: Use colorblind-friendly palettes; consider grayscale compatibility.
Use accepted Latin binomials for all plant species at first mention, followed by common name if applicable. Gene names should follow species-specific nomenclature conventions (e.g., Arabidopsis: italicized, all capitals for mutants). Protein names are not italicized. Reference The Plant List or World Flora Online for accepted species names.
Use APA citation style. Number references in order of appearance. Include DOIs for all published works. Verify accuracy of citations before submission. For genomic resources, cite the original genome paper and database.
- Cover letter stating novelty and significance for plant biology
- Title page with all author details and ORCID identifiers
- Blinded manuscript file with no author identification
- Structured abstract with keywords including species names
- High-resolution figures with captions as separate files
- Sequence accession numbers for all new data
- Ethics/permits documentation for field collections or GMO work
- Conflict of interest and funding declarations
For field trials of genetically modified crops or novel agricultural interventions, provide biosafety approval documentation. Include permit numbers and regulatory body names. Describe containment measures, monitoring protocols, and environmental risk assessments.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should follow PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines. Include a completed PRISMA checklist as supplementary material. Register protocols prospectively when possible. Submit a flow diagram showing study identification, screening, and inclusion with numbers at each stage.
All manuscripts must include a Data Availability Statement describing how underlying data can be accessed. Options include: data deposited in public repositories with DOI or accession number; data available from authors upon reasonable request; or restricted access with explanation of constraints.
JAPB promotes transparency and reproducibility in plant science through rigorous data sharing requirements and detailed methodological reporting standards.
We look forward to receiving your manuscript submission and advancing plant biology knowledge together.
Begin Your Submission
Choose your preferred pathway and share your plant research with the world.
