Dear Reviewer,

We hope this message finds you well.

We are reaching out to invite you to consider becoming a reviewer for the journal Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Science. As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of scientific rigor and integrity, we are seeking qualified experts to provide insightful and constructive reviews for submitted manuscripts in the field of genetics, agrobiodiversity, seed science, biostatistics, breeding and biotechnology.

By becoming a reviewer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the research we publish is of the highest quality, advancing our collective understanding of these crucial areas in agriculture and biology.

Reviewing Responsibilities:

• Evaluate the scientific quality, originality, and relevance of submitted manuscripts.
• Provide constructive feedback to authors and suggest improvements where needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold the journal's ethical guidelines.
• Respond and review on time.

If you are interested in joining our team of reviewers, please provide basic information by CLICKING this link.

Dear Esteemed Reviewers,

Warm regards from the Journal!

We recognize that you bring considerable expertise to the review of scientific manuscripts. To ensure a smooth and consistent review process, we recommend that you review the following materials.

Peer review plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of our publications. Every manuscript submitted to our journals undergoes a rigorous review by experts to uphold the highest standards. We are here to assist you at every stage and provide you with a range of resources, tips, and strategies to enhance your review experience.

You are requested to use this form MS Word document OR provide your final recommendation to accept/ reject/ revise the manuscript with the peer reviewed manuscript in Track Changes View, and kindly forward it to the Managing Editor at genetics.pbss@gmail.com.

Before you begin

Before accepting or declining an invitation to review, please consider the following:

• Expertise alignment: Does the article fall within your area of expertise? Accept the review only if you can provide a thorough and informed evaluation.
• Conflict of interest: Do you have any potential conflicts of interest with the author(s)? If so, disclose them to the editor when responding.
• Time availability: Do you have sufficient time to complete the review? The review process can be demanding, so ensure you can meet the deadline before committing.
• Timely response: Respond to the invitation promptly, even if you need to decline. Delayed responses can hinder the review process and increase waiting times for the author. If you decline, suggesting alternative reviewers would be helpful.
• Confidentiality: Treat all materials you receive as confidential. Do not share them with anyone without prior authorization from the editor. Peer review confidentiality must be maintained, and discussing the review with others without permission is prohibited.
• Generative AI tools: The use of Generative AI tools in the review, evaluation, or decision process is strongly discouraged. Reviewers and editors should not upload manuscripts or any part of them into such tools due to concerns over data privacy, confidentiality, and the potential violation of the authors' rights and terms of use of the AI tool.
• Further information: For additional guidance, please consult reviewer guidelines and familiarize yourself with the ethics of reviewing and publishing scientific manuscripts.

Some important considerations:

• Managing your review: Before you start writing, take time to familiarize yourself with the journal-specific guidelines to ensure your review aligns with their expectations.
• Structuring your review: Your review is crucial for the editor’s decision-making process and provides valuable feedback to the author, helping them enhance their manuscript.
• Submitting your review: After completing your review, submit it through the designated email or online platform as instructed.

Benefit from the review

By reviewing the manuscript of your field of expertise, the journal brings the following benefits:

• Professional development and expertise enhancement: Reviewing manuscripts provides an opportunity for reviewers to stay updated on the latest research and emerging trends in the fields of genetics, plant breeding, seed science, and biodiversity dynamics. This exposure to cutting-edge studies enhances their knowledge and understanding, contributing to their professional growth and expertise.
• Recognition and networking opportunities: Manuscript reviewers are acknowledged for their contributions to the journal, which can enhance their professional reputation and visibility within the scientific community.
• Influence on scientific quality and integrity: By critically evaluating and providing feedback on manuscripts, reviewers play a crucial role in maintaining the scientific quality and integrity of published research. Their input helps ensure that only rigorous and high-quality studies are disseminated, which can be professionally rewarding.
• Access to latest research findings: Reviewers often gain early access to novel and potentially impactful research findings before they are published. This access allows them to stay ahead of new developments in their field, which can be beneficial for their own research and academic pursuits.

Review report guidelines

Our journal requires that peer reviewers submit their review reports in English upon completion of the review. Below are some general instructions to guide you in preparing your report:

• Thorough reading: Carefully read the entire manuscript, including any supplementary material, and pay close attention to figures, tables, data, and methods.
• Critical analysis: Provide a comprehensive critique of the article, addressing both the overall content and specific sections, including key concepts.
• Detailed comments: Ensure your feedback is detailed to help authors understand and address the issues raised effectively.
• Avoid self-citation: Do not recommend citing your work, that of close colleagues, or other authors unless it is essential for improving the manuscript's quality.
• Relevant citations: Suggest relevant articles for review and citation only if they significantly enhance the manuscript.
• Constructive feedback: Maintain a neutral tone and offer constructive criticism to help authors refine their work. Avoid derogatory comments.
• Prohibition of AI tools: Do not use AI or AI-assisted tools (such as ChatGPT) to draft, edit, or review submissions for peer review reports.
• Quality standards: If your review report does not meet our quality standards, you may be asked to revise it, or it may be discarded.

For additional guidance on writing a critical review, please refer to the following resources:

• COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers: Published by the Committee on Publication Ethics. Available online
• Hames, I. Peer Review and Manuscript Management in Scientific Journals: Guidelines for Good Practice. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK, 2007.
• Australian National University. Writing a Journal Article Review. Canberra, Australia, 2010. Available online
• Golash-Boza, T. How to Write a Peer Review for an Academic Journal: Six Steps from Start to Finish. Available online

General questions to memorize while rating the manuscript

When preparing your review report for research manuscripts, please address the following comprehensive set of questions to ensure a thorough evaluation:

• Scope: Does the work align with the scope of Genetics, Plant Breeding, and Seed Science?
• Novelty: Is the research question original and well-defined? Do the results advance current knowledge in the field?
• Significance: Are the results interpreted correctly and considered significant? Are all conclusions justified and supported by the data?
• Scientific soundness: Is the manuscript scientifically robust with a suitable experimental design? Are the analyses conducted with rigorous technical standards? Are the results reproducible based on the described methods? Are the methods, tools, software, and reagents described in sufficient detail to enable replication? Is the raw data available and accurate where applicable?
• Quality: Is the article well-written? Are the data and analyses presented clearly and appropriately? Does the manuscript meet the highest standards of presentation?
• English level: Is the English language used in the manuscript appropriate and understandable?
• Interest to readers: Are the conclusions engaging and relevant to the journal’s readership? Will the paper attract a broad audience or is it of interest to a more specialized group?
• Clarity and structure: Is the manuscript clear, well-organized, and relevant to the field? Is it presented in a way that is easy to understand and follow?
• Figures and tables: Are the figures, tables, images, and schemes appropriate and easy to interpret? Is the data interpreted consistently and accurately?
• Conclusions: Are the conclusions well-supported by the evidence and arguments presented? Are the statements coherent and substantiated by appropriate citations? Are hypotheses identified as such?
• Ethical considerations: Are the ethics statements and data availability statements adequate and clear?
• References: Are the cited references recent (within the last 5 years), relevant, and appropriately cited? Are there any important references missing or excessive self-citations?
• Overall merit: Does the manuscript offer significant benefits for publication? Does it advance current knowledge? Do the authors address important questions with well-conceived experiments? Do they present valid negative results that contribute to scientific understanding?

If you identify any instances of scientific misconduct, fraud, plagiarism, or other unethical behavior related to the manuscript, please report these concerns to the Managing Editor immediately.

Recommend to the journal

Please provide your overall recommendation for the manuscript's next processing stage based on the following options:

• Accept in Present Form: The manuscript is suitable for acceptance without any further revisions.
• Accept after Minor Revisions: The manuscript can be accepted after minor revisions based on your comments. The authors will have one week to make these changes.
• Reconsider after Major Revisions: The manuscript may be accepted depending on the revisions made. Authors are required to provide a point-by-point response to your comments or offer a rebuttal for any comments they cannot address. Typically, up to two rounds of major revisions are allowed. Authors will need to resubmit the revised manuscript within three weeks, and the revised version will be returned to you for further review. Please review the revised manuscript within ten days to ensure timely processing.
• Reject: The manuscript has significant issues, lacks originality, or is otherwise unsuitable for publication. It should be rejected with no option for resubmission.

Please note that your recommendation will be visible only to the Managing Editor and not to the authors. All decisions regarding revisions, acceptance, or rejection should be thoroughly justified.

Article types

Full papers should include unique research, analytical reviews, or descriptive manuscripts. The journal also features technical advancements, data notes, and letters to the editor.

Research article: Original research articles should present new findings that improve understanding of a research topic. For example, studies on genotyping, gene expression, GWAS, and gene family analysis should provide functional insights, such as biological hypotheses and validation or characterization of gene functions, rather than just descriptive results. Original research summarizing trial results from field, growth cabinet, or other settings, depending on the nature of the trials, should ideally be repeated across multiple seasons, locations, or both, as relevant. The minimum degrees of freedom should exceed 12.

Research note: Research findings from a single season or location may be accepted as a Research note if the results are of exceptional significance.

Review article: Comprehensive papers should interpret data mainly from previously published research, supplemented by new experimental observations.

Resources and infographics: It features infographics and posters documenting registered or notified biodiversity, spanning crops, wild species, microbes, and more within defined agroclimatic zones. Authors are required to deposit materials in the National Gene Bank of Nepal and obtain accession numbers. The publication also provides a standardized system for naming, describing, and promoting the availability of genotypes.

Survey article: A survey article provides a comprehensive overview of a specific topic or field, summarizing and synthesizing existing research. It highlights trends, challenges, and future directions, making it useful for researchers new to the area.

Germplasm and registration:  This type of manuscript documents the development, identification, and registration of new germplasm, crop varieties, or genetic resources in Nepal and beyond. 

Advertisements: Advertisements are non-scientific content submitted by companies, institutions, or individuals to promote products, services, events, or announcements relevant to the journal’s audience.

Perspective (Opinion/ vision article): Papers should provide a broad, personal viewpoint on a specific topic, often based on interpreting previously published data related to plant breeding and genetics.

Software and AI, and other technical advances: Papers should focus on software, AI tools, and apps, experimental techniques, method enhancements, new investigative tools and equipment, inventions or experimental improvements that greatly improve genomic data, and understanding in plant breeding and seed science. They can present novel findings without requiring extensive background or discussion.

Invited review: The journal may request review articles that are comprehensive and interpret previously published data on plant breeding and genetics.

Letters to the Editor: These offer an opportunity for discussing particular themes and are subject to editorial review. Letters should be no longer than 300 words.

Publication review: A brief description of books or publications related to plant breeding, genetics, and seed science.

Language of the manuscript

Manuscripts must be written in clear, high-quality English, using either British or American style consistently throughout. Authors are responsible for ensuring correct grammar, spelling, and overall language quality. Submissions to the Germplasm and Registration section may be in Nepali; however, an English version of the title and abstract is required.

Sections

The journal will organize all submitted manuscripts under the following sections. The Editorial Board may select from these categories and update them as needed. The code in parentheses is the discipline code and will be used to assign a number to each paper upon receipt.

• Agriculture Policy and Socio-economics (PS)
• Agro Biodiversity (AB)
• Agronomy (AN)
• Applications and Innovations (AI)
• Biotechnology (BT)
• Biostatistics (BS)
• Climate and Environment Science (CE)
• Genetics and Plant Breeding (GP)
• Germplasm and Registration (GR)
• Horticultural Production (HP)
• Natural Resource Management (NR)
• Pasture and Fodder (PF)
• Fruit Science and Technology (FT)
• Seed Production (SP)
• Seed Science and Technology (ST)
• Vegetable Research (VR)
• Others (OT)
• Special Sections

Special Sections: The journal includes special sections that spotlight emerging research in plant breeding and genetics, encouraging scientific exchange from symposia, collaborations, and conferences. These peer-reviewed sections offer expert-driven updates on current advancements. To propose a section, authors must submit a one-page proposal to the Managing Editor, including the title, abstract, sample topics, contributor list, and suggested guest editors as a year-long project. Proposals must align with a thematic area of the journal.

Process of manuscript submission

The submission system is fully online and automated. Before initiating the submission process, prepare the documents like a cover letter, the main text of the manuscript, and supplementary files. First, you need to identify the type of article, then select the suitable section of your manuscript. Manuscripts should not have been published in full previously or submitted to other journals for consideration at the same time. Authors must declare any prior publication or submission, or originality, and the entirety of their manuscript. Copyright transfer is a must to prepare and submit during the initial submission.

In the main text, you need to provide a statement of generative AI, data availability commitment, conflict of interest declaration, and authors’ responsibility. Other documents like study highlights/graphical abstract, plain language summary, etc., are optional. Authors should have their manuscripts reviewed by colleagues before submission. Typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes can result in immediate rejection, so ensure your manuscript is thoroughly checked for punctuation and spelling. Consulting additional experts to verify the manuscript's scientific value and clarity is recommended.

Page limit and formatting

• Font: Times New Roman everywhere except special words other than English language, 12-point size, font size 10 for table heading, content, and figure captions, 9 for footer
• Line spacing: Single-spaced throughout
• Alignment: Justified
• Page numbering: Bottom right corner, font size 9
• Margins: Normal (2.54 cm on all sides), portrait orientation (can use landscape for the table and figure when required), A4 ( 21 cm × 29.7 cm) size
• Page numbers limit: Max. 20 pages, references do not count
• Document format: Manuscripts as an MS Word document or a LaTeX format
• Numbering of headings and subheadings is NOT required
• Bold headings and bold italics for subheadings to clearly distinguish them

Review and revision process

Submitted manuscripts are subjected to a single-blind peer review process. Each paper is handled by the Managing Editor, who will contact a suitable Editor for the review, ensuring at least two evaluations. Authors are encouraged to propose at least five potential reviewers, ensuring there are no conflicts of interest with the authors or the manuscript. The editorial board reserves the right to disregard any suggested reviewers. Authors are responsible for implementing all revisions during the review phase. Revised manuscripts will maintain the same identifier, with an additional “R” number (eg, GPBSS-24-04-ST-R1), and each revision may be reviewed again. Authors have four weeks to address the reviewer and associate editor's comments and return their revised manuscript. If revisions are not submitted within this timeframe, the manuscript may be released and will need to be resubmitted as a new paper. On average, it takes about 15 weeks from submission to the final decision, including the entire peer review process and revisions. Here’s the typical timeline:

• Submission to initial evaluation by Managing Editor: 2 weeks
• Review process: 4 – 6 weeks (depending on reviewer availability)
• Re-submission of revised manuscript: 4 weeks
• Revision evaluation by reviewers: 2 weeks
• Re-submission of further revised manuscript (if needed): 2 weeks
• Decision on revised manuscript for publication: 1 week

ORCID and email: We recommend that all authors include their Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCiD) and institutional emails (preferably) in their manuscripts.

Plagiarism screening

All papers submitted to the journal undergo a plagiarism check before the review process. If significant overlap with other sources is detected, the editor will assess the extent of the similarity and follow appropriate measures. Every manuscript submitted to our journal for publication consideration undergoes a plagiarism check with iThenticate®. Generally, a ≤10% similarity index is acceptable.

Manuscript requirements

Authors are required to follow the guidelines while formatting their manuscripts. They are requested to submit their manuscript as a Word document, including the title, abstract, text, figures, tables, and references. The submission must include the following components:

• Cover letter to the Editor confirming the transfer of copyright and that the manuscript has not been submitted elsewhere for publication
• Title
• Authors, address and affiliation, email, and ORCID
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Main text (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion)
• Acknowledgments
• Author responsibility
• Conflict of interest declaration
• Data availability commitment
• Declaration of the use of generative AI tools
• References (PBaGSoN-Style)
• Supplementary information (conditional)
• Tables (if not embedded in the main text)
• Figures (if not embedded in the main text)

Tables and figures, along with their captions, should be incorporated into the text document at their initial reference. If your manuscript is approved for publication, you will also need to submit the figures separately as high-resolution image files in one of these formats: PDF, EPS, TIF, or JPEG.

Manuscript structure

Manuscripts should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or in LaTeX format for evaluation. Ensure the document is typed with double spacing, includes plain page numbers at the bottom right corner of the page.

Title: Should be brief and informative, providing the reader with a clear understanding of the article's content. Preferably length is of 12 to 15 words excluding conjunctions and prepositions.

Authors: Beneath the title, include the names of all authors. Add an integer after each author's name and an asterisk next to the corresponding author’s name (i.e., the individual working as contact person on behalf of coauthors). The author who played the primary supervisory role should be listed last.

Affiliations: In the second paragraph, list all authors with their affiliation, email, and ORCID. The first sentence should include the authors' names (without any professional titles) along with their full and current addresses. The second sentence indicates the current address of the author(s) (who have moved from the original address) if different from the previously mentioned address.

ORCID and email: Authors are encouraged to provide their ORCIDs and institutional emails (if not available, personal email IDs) on the author page.

Research highlights/graphical abstract (OPTIONAL): The major findings of the study should be summarized either as a clear take-home message in 2 – 3 sentences or presented in a graphical abstract that highlights the key steps and results. This visual should summarize the study's main outcomes, methods, and key insights, allowing readers to quickly grasp the essential takeaways. Each point should consist of 15-20 words, highlighting the key findings of the current submission. These concise, bullet-pointed texts should showcase the most important outcomes and capture the significance of the study, along with its consequences for readers. Study highlights from the accepted manuscript can be utilized for spreading the research findings.

Plain language summary (OPTIONAL): This plain language summary (PLS) is intended for scientists in other fields, researchers across disciplines, undergraduate and graduate students, and readers who may not be fluent in English. Authors should write the PLS in simple terms that a layperson can understand. The PLS should be understandable, brief, engaging, and free from jargon. Focus on your results, what you discovered, and its significance rather than on methods. The goal is to attract readers to the journal and your research. Avoid using abbreviations. The summary should consist of five to six sentences, starting with one or two sentences explaining the issue or problem, followed by a description of your discoveries, key findings, or conclusions, and the implications of the results. PLS for the journal are limited to 150 words.

Main text

The main text begins with the manuscript title. Structure the main text of the manuscript as follows:

1. Title
   • Title: Concise and descriptive, maximum of 15 words.
   • Authors: Put authors' names, addresses, emails, and ORCiD of ALL authors.
   •  
2. Abstract
   • Length: 250 – 300 words.
   • Content: A summary of the background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
   •  
3. Keywords: Provide 4–6 keywords that describe the main topics of the paper, listed in alphabetical order, separated by commas, with only the first word of the first keyword capitalized.
4. Introduction
   • Content: Background information, research gaps, research questions, and objectives of the study.
   • Abbreviations: Explain every abbreviation used in the text at its first mention. Do not need to define abbreviations of SI units, chemical abbreviations, and other self-defined, well-known abbreviations.
5. Materials and Methods
   • Content: Detailed description of the experimental design, procedures, and analytical methods.
   • Describe each measurement process and quote the equipment used, including the manufacturer, where applicable.
6. Results
   • Content: Presentation of findings with appropriate use of tables and figures without duplication in text and tabulated/graphed information.
   • No justification of the achieved results, this is NOT a discussion section, please note this.
   • Tables and figures: This should be included in the main document after the first mention. Each table title and figure caption should be clear and standalone.
   • Number limit of tables and figures: Max. 3 tables and 5 figures in the main text. Extra tables and figures go to the supplementary information.
   • More about tables and figures:
     1. Tables
        • Each entry in the tables should be placed in an individual cell. Refrain from using tabs, spaces, or graphics. Cite each table sequentially in the text and avoid designating parts (eg, Table 1a, 1b).
        • Citations: Cite each table in the main text.
        • Put after their first mention in the main text without breaking it apart.
        • Heads: Table headings should be clear, short, and stand alone.
        • Define the variables and spell out the abbreviations used in the table, if any.
        • Notes: Use "Notes" for general comments that apply to the entire table. For specific notes, utilize symbols in the following order: †, ‡, §, ¶, #, ††, ‡‡, etc. A single asterisk (*) indicates significance at the 5% level, while a double asterisk (**) signifies significance at the 1% level.
        • Presentation: Place the table after its first mention in the main text without breaking it apart. Avoid repeating information from charts or graphs in the text.
        • Font and size: Use Open Sans font, size 11 for the title and 10 for the table content.
        • Authors are encouraged to use a maximum of 2 tables.
     2. Figures
        • At submission, include review-quality figures, a maximum of 6 figures, with captions in the main text document after their first mention.
        • Submit high-resolution image files of the figures (300 – 600 dpi preferred) separately in the JPEG format.
        • Figures prepared using MS PowerPoint are also acceptable.
        • Ensure that all parts of the figures are labeled, and submit multi-panel figures as a single image.
        • Biplots should feature equally scaled axes with tick marks.
        • Figures can be submitted in both color and black and white, without borders.
        • Font size: Font size 10 for figure captions placed below the figure.
        • In figure captions, spell out abbreviations upon their first mention, even if they have been defined in the main text or previous figures. Define any symbols used either within the caption or in a legend included in the figure.
        • Use Times New Roman while labelling the figures, and use a font size large enough to read the figure’s label.
7. Discussion
   • Content: Interpretation of results, comparison with previous studies, methodological limitations, and implications.
   • This section can be presented together with Results in the case of Review and Invited Review.
   •  
8. Conclusion
   • Content: Summary of key findings and their significance.
   • Recommendations for future research, if applicable.
   •  
9. Acknowledgments
   • Content: Recognition of individuals or organizations that contributed to the research but did not qualify as authors.
   •  
10. Author responsibility

The first author is responsible for providing a list of co-authors who have made genuine, direct contributions to the manuscript. Authors are encouraged to limit the number of co-authors to no more than seven. Inclusion of unverified authors may result in immediate rejection of the manuscript. Clearly state each author's specific contributions to the work. Note that this section cannot be modified after acceptance, so please ensure all information is accurate before final approval.

Example:

AB and BC were the primary architects of the study's design.

AB established the theoretical framework and conducted the experiments, while CD and DE assisted with the data analysis.

BC oversaw the entire project.

All authors engaged in discussions regarding the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

11. Conflict of interest declaration: Authors must include a conflict of interest statement before the References section. If no conflicts exist, this should be clearly stated. For single-author papers, this section is not required.
12. Data availability commitment: You are required to provide a data availability announcement inviting researchers to access the study data. If the manuscript does not include data (eg, review or perspective articles), authors should explicitly state this. Authors must make any underlying data necessary to understand, evaluate, and build upon the research available upon submission. Data should be provided as supplementary material or deposited in a public repository.

For GWAS studies, authors must provide the raw phenotypic and genotypic data either as a supplemental table or as a link to a data repository to enable subsequent meta-analyses by other researchers. The metadata should fully describe the experimental conditions. Additionally, for GWAS studies, a supplemental table (or link) should include: (i) the SNP allele scored, (ii) its position relative to a reference sequence (or provide adjacent context sequence), and (iii) the p-value for each trait and each SNP.

13. Declaration on the use of generative AI tools: Authors are required to disclose the use of generative AI in the submitted manuscript. The journal accepts the use of Generative AI and AI-assisted tools solely to enhance the manuscript's readability and language improvement. However, authors remain fully responsible and accountable for the content of the manuscript. Use of spell and grammar checkers, referencing tools like Mendeley, statistical software, etc, do not fall under this condition.

Example of statements:

13. • We, all authors, declared that we have used [NAME OF AI TOOLS or SERVICE] to [REASON]. After utilizing this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and modified the content as necessary and take(s) full responsibility for the published article's content.
    • Nothing to declare.
14. References

• Format: Follow the journal’s specified citation style, PBaGSoN-Style. Ensure all references cited in the text are listed.
• Detail: Please see the details of citation style in the ‘Citation style’ below, or read https://plantbreeding.org.np/public/media/2025_01/d9a3787604a0d9ef2ed13a9911331e7c.pdf

Citation style

Authors must follow the PBaGSoN-Style of referencing and citation. The author-year citation system is required; please do not use numbered references. Authors are strongly encouraged to use the Mendeley Reference Manager and a version of Microsoft Word 2016 or later. Consider the following guidelines when formatting your references.

Example of in-line citation:

The germplasms conserved at the National Genebank of Nepal represent valuable future assets for the country (Paudel and Joshi 2018). Among them, Akabare chili is a landrace that holds significant socio-cultural value and is economically profitable (Poudyal 2024, Poudyal et al. 2023a, 2023b). According to the field study by Poudyal et al. (2024), farmers in Nepal can achieve up to 50% net profit from Akabare chili cultivation.

Example of bibliography:

Journal article:

Poudyal D, BK Joshi and KC Dahal. 2024. Insights into the responses of Akabare chili landraces to drought, heat, and their combined stress during pre-flowering and fruiting stages. Heliyon 10(16):e36239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36239

Poudyal D, BK Joshi, R Zhou, C-O Ottosen and KC Dahal. 2023b. Evaluating the physiological responses and identifying stress tolerance of Akabare chili landraces to individual and combined drought and heat stresses. AoB PLANTS 15(6):1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plad083

Book:

Borges JL. 1999. Selected non-fictions. Viking, New York.

Shakya SM, D Baral, GK Shrestha and DM Gautam. 2019. Fundamentals of Horticulture (2nd ed.). Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rampur; pp.50-67.

Pun U. 2017. Flower production in Nepal. Jagadamba Books, Kathmandu.

Discussion paper:

Ahlquist JS and C Breunig. 2009. Country clustering in comparative political economy (MPIfG Discussion Paper No. 09–5). Max-Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne.

Edited book:

Dahal KC (ed). 2020. Horticulture in Nepal. Laligurans Press, Kathmandu.

Poudel PR, KC Dahal, and SM Shakya (eds). 2019. Horticulture in Nepal: Prospects and problems. Nepal Books.

Dunnett N and N Kingsbury. 2008. Planting green roofs and living walls, 2nd ed. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Hancké B, M Rhodes and M Thatcher (eds). 2007. Beyond varieties of capitalism: conflict, contradiction, and complementarities in the European economy. Oxford University Press, Oxford and New York.

Conference proceedings:

Poudyal D, BK Joshi, KP Singh, SM Shakya and KC Dahal. 2023. Akabare chili amplifies the household income of farmers in the mid-hills of Nepal. In: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Horticulture: Advancing Horticulture in Changing Climate and Biodiversity. Nepal Horticulture Society, 3-4 April 2023, Godavari, Lalitpur; pp.1–26.

Mares I. 2001. Firms and the welfare state: When, why, and how does social policy matter to employers? In: PA Hall and D Soskice (eds). Varieties of Capitalism. The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage. Oxford University Press, New York; pp.184–213.

Dissertation:

Poudyal D. 2024. Physiological Responses of Akabare Chili Landraces to Drought and Heat Stress Conditions. Tribhuvan University. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.13763.82727

McInnis MD and LP Nelson. 2011. Shaping the body politic: Art and political formation in early America. University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, VA.

Pandey B. 2020. Morphological characterization and genetic diversity mapping of local mango genotypes using microsatellite (SSR) markers in the far western hills of Nepal [Unpublished master thesis]. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University.

Website citation:

CSL search by example (WWW Document). n.d. Citation Style Editor. URL: http://editor.citationstyles.org/searchByExample/. Accessed: 15 Dec. 2012.

Yo-yo has a modifiable string gap. 2011. WO2011US30214.

Personal communication: In general, we discourage citing the information as personal communication. However, if it is needed, give the first and family name of the information provider along with the date of communication (Madan Rai, personal communication, Mar 2, 2025). Personal communication should not be included in the reference list.

NOTE: Only the papers directly related to the authors' work should be cited in the text. Only literature accessible through libraries or other readily available public sources may be cited. All publications listed under “References” MUST appear in the running text with the author’s name (without initials) and year of publication (eg, Poudyal, 2023), but authors with more than two may be cited by et al. (eg, Poudyal et al. 2023) after the first author.

15. Supplementary information: Supplementary information that supports the main text but is too detailed for inclusion in the main sections may be worth reading for reviewers and readers.

Submission: Supplementary materials should be submitted either as a separate file or included at the end of the manuscript, following the References section.

More about supplementary information

Supplementary information must be submitted alongside the manuscript and will undergo peer review. Authors are encouraged to use this material to enhance the article's content and quality or to help shorten the manuscript text. Examples of supplementary information include experimental data, apparatus schematics, study site maps, or other content primarily of interest to specialists. If supplementary information is used to reduce the manuscript length, ensure that the Materials and Methods section contains enough detail for readers to evaluate whether the explanations are backed by the data.

Supplementary tables and figures should be referenced in the main text sequentially as Supplementary Table S1, Supplementary Figure S1, and so forth.

Prepare a cover page in the supplementary information with the title and authors. List the Tables and figures in the sequence as they appear in the main text. Submit supplementary information in a single PDF, MS Word, MS Excel, or QuickTime. FLV (Flash Video) files with a resolution of 640 x 480 or 720 x 480 (widescreen) are acceptable. However, executable files (.exe), JavaScript, TeX, and PowerPoint files are not allowed.

Math equations and formulae: Request to utilize keyboard formatting as far as possible, including italics, bold, subscripts, superscripts, simple variables, and Greek fonts. If more advanced formatting is necessary, preferably suggested to utilize MathType or the Word Equation Editor (when MathType is unavailable).

Units of measurement: Use SI units for all measurements. Alternative units of measurement may be included in parentheses after the SI unit if they enhance clarity or are essential to reproduce the results.

Data availability policy: A fundamental principle of publication is that others should be able to replicate and build upon the authors' claims. The journal mandates that the data necessary for understanding, assessing, and expanding upon the reported research be accessible during peer review and publication. Additionally, any source code for specific or custom scripts required to reproduce the results should be submitted to a public repository, such as GitHub, or included as supplemental material. Any restrictions on the availability of materials or information must be disclosed to the editors at submission. In some cases, a six-month embargo may be granted. Note that the underlying data must be accessible upon submission.

Genome sequencing guidelines

The journal supports open access and FAIR data policies. For manuscripts describing genomic sequencing data (such as genome assembly, pan-genome, whole genome resequencing, or genotyping), the respective data (including raw data, assembly data, and variation information) must be deposited in appropriate public repositories (eg, NCBI SRA, EMBL ENA) and be publicly accessible upon publication. Data must also be accessible to reviewers during the review process.

Example data availability statements

• The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the [NAME] repository: [PERSISTENT WEB LINK TO DATASETS].
• All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).
• There are no original data associated with this article. Referenced data are available in the literature.

Citing plant materials

When mentioning plant introductions, registered cultivars, germplasm, parental lines, accessions, and genetic stocks in the Introduction, Discussion, or Characteristics sections of the manuscript, authors are required to provide citations. This requirement also extends to genetic materials used in the development of unreleased plant populations that are central to the study, unless a more direct citation of the population's development is available.

Nomenclature

Upon their initial mention in the manuscript, authors should provide Latin binomial or trinomial (along with the authority) alongside the common name of plants, insects, pathogens, and animals studied in the work. Use the accepted common name and chemical name of pesticides at their first mention. For elements, ions, and simple compounds, use chemical symbols, except at the start of sentences or in titles and headings. For soils, specify at least the subgroup according to the US soil taxonomy system.

Changes to the author byline

Any modifications to the author list must receive approval from the Managing Editor at genetics.pbss@gmail.com. Furthermore, all coauthors must inform the Managing Editor that they are aware of and consent to the change in written form (eg, email).

Consent and approvals

The corresponding author should share a draft of the manuscript with each living coauthor for their approval on co-authorship. It is the sole responsibility of authors to obtain permissions for the use of personal photographs, graphs, figures, or other material from other publishers and must share these permissions with the editorial board upon acceptance of the manuscript. However, the editorial board retains the right to publish and republish those submissions.

Errata

Authors may submit errata to correct errors and omissions that impact the integrity of the published record. All corrections require editorial approval and must be approved by all coauthors before submission; only major corrections will be published. Direct all errata requests to the Managing Editor.

Publication charges

Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Science publishes all accepted manuscripts as open access, free of charge for authors of all nationalities. Printed copies can be produced, subject to the availability of sufficient publication funding.

Online publication

This journal employs an online-first publication system, where peer-reviewed and accepted articles are published with a DOI to facilitate the rapid dissemination of research and findings.

Other resources

• Spelling and definition: Merriam-Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary
• Plant systematic names: USDA–ARS GRIN database
• Chemical terms: PubChem
• Edaphic descriptions: USDA–NRCS Official Soil Series Descriptions
• Mycological terminology: Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States (APS Press)
• Any missing in citation style: APA Style (American Psychological Association, 7th edition)

For inquiries regarding submission formatting, submission process, or the submission status with the assigned identifier, please reach out to the Managing Editor at genetics.pbss@gmail.com.

 

Guidelines for Germplasm and Registration

The PBaGSoN and SQCC are pleased to announce the launch of a special section, Germplasm and Registration in our journal Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Science. This section aims to highlight the available germplasm (including cultivars, landraces, breeding lines, parental lines, wild species, genetic stocks, mapping populations, and other stable genotypes) used in agricultural production, research, alongside their registration through the publication of relevant manuscripts.

The primary goal of this section is to provide scientists, researchers, students, and farmers with essential information on released or pre-released cultivars, landraces, wild relatives, and parental lines, ensuring their availability for future research, breeding programs, and agricultural production.

Authors submitting manuscripts are responsible for confirming the availability and conservation of these materials in the National Genebank. Upon acceptance of a manuscript, the Editorial Board, in collaboration with the National Genebank and SQCC, will assign a unique registration number (accession number) to the germplasm. This number will be communicated to the author and indexed in designated volumes of the journal.

Manuscripts may be submitted in either Nepali (must type in Preeti or other Nepali Font, NOT using unicode) or English and can focus on a single genotype or include multiple genotypes within a single article.

Authors should submit a concise and well-structured manuscript along with a cover letter. The manuscript must include the following essential details:

Germplasm identification: Provide the name or identification of the germplasm (including an explanation of the name's meaning, if applicable), experimental number or designation, and the names of the agencies, organizations, or individuals officially releasing the genotype.

Materials and Medhods: Include a detail description of the experimental design, procedures, and analytical methods. Also mention the important dates while registering the variety developed and studied during the research.

Germplasm description: Include a brief description of the germplasm, emphasizing its distinguishing traits, breeding procedures, pedigrees, introductions, regions of adaptation, and key traits of agricultural importance.

Maintenance and distribution: Specify the name and contact details of the individual or organization responsible for maintaining and distributing the germplasm.

Passport and characterization descriptors: Incorporate passport descriptors, characterization descriptors, and other details typically required for Variety Release/Registration proposals in Nepal (refer to Seed Rules 2024 at www.sqcc.gov.np for further details). This ensures the manuscript meets the necessary standards.

Manuscripts must comply with the style and format of the journal. Alternatively, authors may structure their manuscripts under three to four main headings:

1. Introduction: An introduction to the germplasm.

2. Materials and Medhods: Include a detail description of the experimental design, procedures, and analytical methods.

3. Germplasm description: A detailed description of the germplasm.

4. Ethical and legal compliance: Confirming compliance with biodiversity laws and protocols

5. Maintenance and distribution: Information on the maintenance and distribution of the germplasm.

These short manuscripts may also be considered for characterizing accessions held in national and international plant germplasm collections, including descriptions of plant genetic materials. The submission and review process for these manuscripts follows the same procedures as for other articles in the journal.

Suggested headings for manuscript preparation:

• Title (if the manuscript is in Nepali, the English version of the title is required)
• Author's name, address, email and ORCiD
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Materials and Methods
• Germplasm description
• Maintenance and distribution
• Ethical and legal compliance
• References (if applicable)

Abstract

• Provide a concise summary of the objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the manuscript.
• If the manuscript is written in Nepali, include an abstract in English as well.

1. Introduction:

• Purpose of germplasm registration
  • Begin with a concise statement about the purpose of registering the plant germplasm.
  • Highlight its significance to agricultural systems, such as enhancing genetic diversity, improving resistance to diseases or pests, or contributing to crop improvement programs.
• Development and origin
  • Source: Clearly describe the geographic location and ecological conditions where the germplasm was collected or developed.
  • For wild types, detail their natural habitat or the collection environment.
  • For cultivars or hybrids, mention the breeding history or parent lines.
  • Methodology: Explain the process used to develop the plant germplasm, such as: Conventional breeding (eg crossing and selection). Advanced methods (eg marker-assisted breeding or genetic engineering), landrace preservation or wild species collection.
• Registration details
  • Registration number and organization issuing it (eg ICAR, USDA, or a specific plant registry).
  • Date of registration and related certificates.
  • Any intellectual property rights, patents, or Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) associated with the germplasm.

2. Materials and Methods:

• Plant materials/genotypes studied
• Experimental design, number of replications, etc.
• Major traits measured and procedure of measurement
• Work flow chart, figures and or tables, where applicable
• Statistical method and tools used
• Time taken to register and release the variety at National seed Board of Nepal, when applicable

3. Description:

• Botanical and morphological description
  • Morphology: Plant height, leaf shape, stem type, root structure, flower morphology, and seed characteristics.
  • Growth and development: Growth habit (eg annual, perennial), vegetative phase duration, flowering and maturity times.
  • Distinct traits: Traits like unusual flower colors, specific biochemical compounds, or distinct architectural features.
  • Taxonomy: Use taxonomic identification with scientific and common names, local name including the authority citation for the species name.
  • Novel traits: Describe the unique features or traits that distinguish this germplasm, such as high yield, tolerance to abiotic stress (drought, heat, cold, and salinity), resistance to biotic stress (pests, diseases), or nutritional improvements.
• Genetic and molecular attributes (where applicable)
  • Mention known genetic markers, cytological details (eg chromosome number), or ploidy level.
  • Include molecular characterization (eg DNA fingerprinting, marker-assisted data) to confirm uniqueness.
  • Reference genome sequencing data or significant QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) if linked to the germplasm's traits.
• Value of cultivation and use (VCU)
  • Field trials: Present data from multi-environmental trials (if available), highlighting performance under diverse agro-climatic conditions.
  • Stress tolerance: Describe tolerance levels or ratings to specific abiotic (eg drought, heat, salinity) and biotic stresses (eg pests, pathogens).
  • Comparison: Compare the germplasm's performance to existing standard varieties or controls for yield, quality, resistance or any targeted traits of interest.
  • Use visual aids (graphs or tables) to summarize results such as yield data, disease or pest resistance scores, quality parameters (eg protein content, oil percentage, fruit size), etc.
  • Nutritional value and socio-economic aspects of crop variety to the farmers.

4. Maintenance and distribution:

• Conservation and storage
  • Gene bank or repository: Indicate where the germplasm is conserved (eg seed banks, field gene banks, or in-vitro collections). Mention details of the institution or organization responsible for its preservation and maintenance of the variety.
  • Storage conditions: Describe specific storage requirements, such as temperature, humidity, or cryopreservation for long-term viability.
• Material transfer and distribution
  • Mention availability for research and breeding, including necessary agreements like Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs).
  • Discuss about the mode of use and distribution model of the variety, including seed bulking and marketing model.

5. Ethical and legal compliance

• Confirm compliance with biodiversity laws and protocols
  • Ensure compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol, and explicitly state this alignment in the manuscript.
  • If indigenous or traditional knowledge contributed to the germplasm development, acknowledge it and detail benefit-sharing agreements.

Alternatively, full paper as in other section can be written and submitted.

 Supporting figures and tables

• Include high-quality visuals: Photos of the plant, seeds, or distinguishing traits, maximum 4 photos.
• Tables comparing agronomic or quality traits with existing varieties, maximum 1 table.
• Graphs summarizing stress tolerance or yield data. Maximum 4 graphs.

References: As per the journal’s prescribed style, PBaGSoN Style. Authors can cite research relevant papers that describe the development, evaluation, or genetic characterization and any information related to this germplasm.

By adhering to these guidelines, authors ensure that the manuscript meets the required standards for the Germplasm and Registration section.

Please submit your manuscript ONLINE

Research Articles

Review Articles

Germplasm and Registration