Focus and Scope

International Journal of Phytopathology publishes original research articles and critical reviews on all aspects of plant pathology. Brief comments and letters to the editor contributing to the previously published articles are also welcomed. Articles submitted for publication in International Journal of Phytopathology are peer reviewed by the editors who act on advice from referees.

Top quality research manuscripts from around the world cover: diseases of temperate and tropical plants caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasmas and nematodes; physiological, biochemical, molecular, ecological, genetic and economic aspects of plant pathology; disease epidemiology and modelling; disease appraisal and crop loss assessment; and plant disease control and disease-related crop management are accepted for publication.

Section Policies

Research Articles

• Open Submissions
• Indexed
• Peer Reviewed

Disease Notes

• Open Submissions
• Indexed
• Peer Reviewed

Short Communications

• Open Submissions
• Indexed
• Peer Reviewed

Review Articles

• Open Submissions
• Indexed
• Peer Reviewed

Peer Review Process

International Journal of Phytopathology is using online article submission, review and tracking system for quality and quick review processing. IJPP provides rapid review process of approx. 06-10 weeks followed by the publication of the research article.

Editorial board members of International Journal of Phytopathology in connection with Editor-In-Chief are bound with ethical and honest accountability to support the researchers and interested individuals. Journal provides a wide platform with humane support to newer researchers and creative individuals in the field of Plant Pathology.

Manuscripts submitted to International Journal of Phytopathology will be subjected to double blind external peer-review and are therefore expected to be of high quality. Manuscripts submitted for publication consideration must have the ability to make a contribution to the field of plant pathology. This contribution may be small but meaningful and forms the rubric of what our reviewers and editors look for during the review process. Journal applies a very vigorous review process in determining which articles are accepted and eventually being published. We strive for a rapid review and subsequent publication of high-quality manuscripts.

Submitted article is given up to the Editor-In-Chief after final checking, who examines the manuscript and decides its acceptance followed by a peer review by at least two subject experts. The corresponding author is informed through e-mail as early as possible about the editorial decision. The rejected article is always supported for a newer submission.

The revision should also be accompanied by a point-by-point response to referees explaining how the manuscript has been changed. The manuscript may then be sent back to the original referees or to new referees, at the Editorial Board Member's discretion.

When all editorial issues are resolved, the manuscript is formally accepted for publication. After acceptance, authors are sent proofs of their manuscript but only typo mistakes or scientific errors are permitted. All corrections are approved by the production team. Journal reserves the right to make the final decision about matters of style and the size of figures.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Archiving

This journal utilizes the LOCKSS system to create a distributed archiving system among participating libraries and permits those libraries to create permanent archives of the journal for purposes of preservation and restoration. More...

Editorial Policy

International Journal of Phytopathology is aimed to publish the most exciting researches in the subjects of Plant Pathology.

Material submitted to International Journal of Phytopathology must be original and not published or submitted for publication elsewhere. This rule applies to material submitted elsewhere while the International Journal of Phytopathology contribution is under consideration.

International Journal of Phytopathology does not require authors to assign copyright of their published original research papers to the journal. Authors publishing with International Journal of Phytopathology retain the copyright to their work allowing the articles to be re-used and re-distributed without restriction, as long as the original work is correctly cited. The responsibility to the contents and its authenticity rests solely with the authors and they will solely be responsible for originality of published work.

International Journal of Phytopathology supports the Bethesda Statement on Open Access Publishing.

Articles are published under a CC-BY license (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License). The CC-BY license allows for maximum dissemination and re-use of open access materials and is preferred by many research funding bodies. Under this license, users are free to share (copy, distribute and transmit) and remix (adapt) the contribution including for commercial purposes, providing they attribute the contribution in the manner specified by the author or licensor

Manuscripts submitted for publication in International Journal of Phytopathology are peer reviewed by at least two subject reviewers. A decision of the editorial board member on the choice of reviewers is final.

International Journal of Phytopathology shall be published three times in a year. However, being an Online Journal, it allows for the publication of articles of urgency and critical importance to the researchers. Such articles of 'Current Interest' and relevant editorials may be published more frequently as 'Supplements', on the basis of the needs felt by the editorial board or on the requests/ suggestions of the readers of the journal.

International Journal of Phytopathology shall not take any responsibility for the contents of articles published and all such responsibility shall lie with the author/s. The opinions expressed in the articles are solely of the author/s and International Journal of Phytopathology may not agree with such opinions in part or in full.

Publication Ethics

PUBLICATION ETHICS AND PUBLICATION MALPRACTICE STATEMENT

It is necessary to agree upon standards of expected ethical behaviour for all parties involved in the act of publishing: the author, the journal editor, the peer reviewer and the publisher.

 

DUTIES OF EDITORS
Publication Decision 
The responsibility of determining which articles will be published in International Journal of Phytopathology rests with its editor-in-chief. The editor-in-chief may consider the guidelines of the journal's editorial board and must adhere to any legal obligations related to copyright infringement and plagiarism. The editor-in-chief may also consult with other editors or reviewers during the decision-making process.

Editors of the "International Journal of Phytopathology" bear a range of responsibilities to ensure the integrity and quality of the journal's content. These responsibilities include:

Fair play
Editor will evaluate manuscripts for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.

Confidentiality
Information pertaining to a submitted manuscript in International Journal of Phytopathology will be kept confidential by the editor and editorial staff, and will only be disclosed to the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisers, and the publisher, as appropriate.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript will not be used in an editorial board or editor’s own research without the written consent of the author.

Editorial Oversight
Editors are responsible for overseeing the journal's editorial processes, including peer review and manuscript selection. They will ensure that all published articles meet the journal's standards for scientific quality, ethical conduct, and adherence to publishing guidelines.

Ethical Guidelines
Editors will establish and enforce ethical guidelines for authors, reviewers, and themselves. They should be vigilant in identifying and addressing any ethical violations, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, and conflicts of interest.

Peer Review
Editors will be responsible for maintaining a rigorous and transparent peer review process. They should select competent and unbiased reviewers, ensure timely review, and make publication decisions based on the merit of the research.

Corrections and Retractions
Editors must have clear and transparent policies in place for handling corrections and retractions. When errors, inaccuracies, or ethical concerns are identified in published articles, they will promptly investigate and take appropriate action, which may include issuing corrections or retractions.

Communication with Authors
Editors will communicate with authors about the review and publication process, including any required revisions or corrections. They should provide authors with clear instructions on how to address any concerns raised during the review process.

Transparency
Editors will promote transparency in all aspects of journal operations, including disclosure of conflicts of interest and funding sources. They should maintain open lines of communication with the scientific community and the public regarding editorial policies and decisions.

Quality Assurance
The editors will continuously monitor and improve the quality of the journal's content. They should be open to feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers and make necessary adjustments to enhance the journal's credibility and impact.

DUTIES OF REVIEWERS
Contribution to Editorial Decisions
The process of peer review aids the editor in making informed editorial decisions. Additionally, it provides a means for editorial correspondence with the author, which can potentially assist in improving the quality of the paper.

Promptness
If a chosen referee feels inadequate to review the research presented in a manuscript, or is aware that a timely review is not feasible, they should inform the editor and withdraw themselves from the review process.

Standards of Objectivity
During the review process, referees must maintain objectivity and avoid personal criticism of the author. Referees are expected to provide their opinions clearly, along with supporting arguments.

Expert Evaluation
Reviewers are expected to critically assess the scientific and technical quality of the manuscripts assigned to them. This involves evaluating the research methods, results, and conclusions to ensure they are sound and contribute meaningfully to the field of phytopathology.

Constructive Feedback
Reviewers should provide constructive feedback to authors. They should offer clear, detailed, and well-reasoned comments that help authors improve their manuscripts. Constructive feedback should address both strengths and weaknesses in the submission.

Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to adhere to the journal's timelines for completing reviews. Timely reviews are essential for maintaining the efficiency of the peer-review process and ensuring swift publication of quality research.

Confidentiality
Reviewers must maintain strict confidentiality regarding the manuscripts they review. They should not disclose any information about the content or findings of the manuscript to anyone other than the journal's editorial team.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers should promptly disclose any conflicts of interest that could bias their assessment of a manuscript. This includes personal or professional relationships with the authors, institutions, or any other factors that may affect their impartiality.

Ethical Considerations
Reviewers should be vigilant in identifying ethical concerns, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or any other ethical violations. If they suspect misconduct, they should report it to the journal's editorial team.

Recommendation
Reviewers are expected to provide a clear recommendation regarding the manuscript, such as "Accept," "Minor Revisions," "Major Revisions," or "Reject." Their recommendation should be supported by their assessment of the manuscript's quality and suitability for publication.

Maintain Academic Standards
Reviewers should ensure that the research adheres to the highest academic and ethical standards. They should assess the novelty and significance of the research and its contribution to the field of phytopathology.

Continual Improvement
Reviewers should strive for continual improvement in their reviewing skills. This includes staying updated with the latest developments in the field and providing reviews that are fair, objective, and of high quality.

Professionalism
Reviewers should conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner when interacting with authors and the journal's editorial team. Constructive criticism should be delivered in a courteous and respectful tone.

AUTHOR’S LIABILITIES
Corresponding Author’s Responsibilities
The submitting author is responsible for all communication with International Journal of Phytopathology and managing communication between co-authors. Prior to submission, the submitting author must ensure that all authors are listed in the proper order, included in the author list, and aware that the manuscript is being submitted.
After acceptance, the corresponding author will receive the proof and will work with International Journal of Phytopathology on behalf of all co-authors. If errors in the published article result from mistakes that were present on an unchecked proof, International Journal of Phytopathology may not correct them after publication. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all content in the proof, including correct spelling of co-authors' names and up-to-date addresses and affiliations.

 

Confidential Process

International Journal of Phytopathology considers all communication with authors and referees, as well as the submitted manuscript, to be confidential. The authors are also required to maintain the confidentiality of all communication with the journal. This includes correspondence with the journal, referee reports, and any other confidential material, which must not be shared publicly or posted on any website without prior permission from the editorial office, regardless of whether or not the submission is eventually published.

Reporting Standards
Research papers should provide an accurate and objective description of the work conducted and analyze its significance appropriately. The presentation of data in the article should be truthful and appropriate. Sufficient details and references should be included in the document to allow others to replicate the study. It is unethical and unprofessional to make false or incorrect claims, and such practices are not acceptable.

 

Data Access and Retention
Authors should submit raw data related to their manuscript for editorial evaluation and should be prepared to make such data publicly available, to the extent possible, in compliance with the ALPSP-STM Statement on Data and Databases.

Originality and Plagiarism
It is the responsibility of the authors to ensure that their work is completely original, and that any material or language borrowed from others is appropriately acknowledged or cited.

 

Multiple, Redundant or Concurrent Publication
It is considered unethical and unacceptable for authors to submit the same findings more than once in either International Journal of Phytopathology or any other journal. Similarly, submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously is also prohibited.

Acknowledgment of Sources
When submitting to International Journal of Phytopathology, authors must ensure that they appropriately acknowledge the work of others. This includes citing the relevant publications that have influenced the nature of their own research.

Authorship of the Paper
Only individuals who have made significant contributions to a study's conception, design, execution, or interpretation should be credited as authors. Such individuals should be identified as co-authors, while those who have made other contributions to the research should be acknowledged or identified as contributors.
Before submitting a manuscript for publication, the corresponding author should confirm that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the work.

 

Human or animal subjects

The author is required to clearly disclose any significant hazards related to the utilization of substances, procedures, or equipment described in the paper.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Every author is obliged to disclose any significant conflicts of interest, whether financial or otherwise, that could potentially affect the outcome or interpretation of their work. Additionally, all sources of funding for the project must be explicitly stated.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works
In the event that an author detects a critical mistake or inexactitude in their previously published work, it is their obligation to promptly inform the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with them to retract or amend the manuscript as necessary.

Referee suggestions
While authors submitting to International Journal of Phytopathology are welcome to propose independent reviewers, it is at the discretion of the editorial office to accept or reject these suggestions. Additionally, authors may indicate a preference for a small number of individuals or laboratories to not be considered for review, usually no more than two. Such exclusion requests are evaluated by the editorial office with understanding and are generally respected. However, the ultimate decision on referee selection rests with the Editorial Board Member.

PUBLISHER'S CONDUCT
EScience Press plays a crucial role in managing various aspects of the International Journal of Phytopathology. Publisher's responsibilities encompass overseeing the publication process, providing editorial support, handling distribution, maintaining the digital infrastructure, archiving content, and ensuring accessibility. Additionally, EScience Press is responsible for preserving content in the long term, establishing open-access policies, engaging in marketing efforts, and managing financial matters. Throughout these tasks, EScience Press maintains a strong commitment to upholding rigorous quality control and ethical standards.

CrossMark Policy Statement

CrossMark is a multi-publisher initiative by CrossRef to provide a standard way for readers to locate the authoritative version of an article or other published content. By applying the CrossMark button, EScience Press is committing to maintaining the content it publishes and to alerting readers to changes if and when they occur.

The Crossmark button gives readers quick and easy access to the current status of an item of content, including any corrections, retractions, or updates to that record.

For more information on CrossMark, please visit the CrossMark site.

EScience Press content that will have the CrossMark button is restricted to current and future journal content and is limited to specific publication types.

Correction and Retraction Policies
EScience Press is committed to uphold the integrity of the literature and publishes Errata, Expressions of Concerns or Retraction Notices dependent on the situation and in accordance with the COPE Retraction Guidelines. In all cases, these notices are linked to the original article.

More information on journal policies publication ethics can be found here: About the Journal.

Information on COPE Retraction Guidelines can be found here: Retraction Guidelines.