Submit Manuscript
Easy • Fast • Secure
Author Guidelines
Author Guidelines
Plant Science Horizons (PSH) provides comprehensive submission and manuscript preparation guidelines to ensure high scientific quality, transparency, consistency, and efficient peer review.
1. Introduction
Plant Science Horizons is an international peer-reviewed open-access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research across all areas of plant science, including molecular biology, physiology, genetics, biotechnology, crop science, and sustainable agriculture.
Authors submitting manuscripts must ensure that their work meets the highest standards of scientific quality, originality, clarity, and ethical compliance.
All manuscripts must be written in professional academic English. Poorly written manuscripts may be returned without review.
2. Types of Manuscripts
Original Research Articles
Novel scientific findings with clear innovation, rigorous methodology, statistical analysis, and reproducible results.
Novel scientific findings with clear innovation, rigorous methodology, statistical analysis, and reproducible results.
Review Articles
Comprehensive and analytical synthesis of current literature highlighting trends, gaps, and future directions.
Comprehensive and analytical synthesis of current literature highlighting trends, gaps, and future directions.
Short Communications
Rapid reports of preliminary but important findings or innovative methods.
Rapid reports of preliminary but important findings or innovative methods.
Perspectives & Opinions
Expert insights on emerging issues, interdisciplinary themes, and future scientific directions.
Expert insights on emerging issues, interdisciplinary themes, and future scientific directions.
Commentaries
Critical discussions of recent publications or scientific developments.
Critical discussions of recent publications or scientific developments.
Letters to the Editor
Short communications addressing scientific issues, comments, or observations.
Short communications addressing scientific issues, comments, or observations.
3. Submission Requirements
All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system.
Manuscript File
- Title
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Full text
- References
- Tables and figure captions
Author identities must not appear in this file.
Title Page
- Full manuscript title
- Author names
- Institutional affiliations
- Corresponding author details
- Email addresses
- ORCID iDs (recommended)
4. Cover Letter
A cover letter is mandatory and must:
Confirm originality of the manuscript
Confirm the work is not under review elsewhere
Confirm approval by all authors
Briefly explain novelty and significance
Authors may optionally suggest potential reviewers without conflicts of interest.
5. Manuscript Structure
Title
Precise, informative, and clearly reflecting the core findings.
Precise, informative, and clearly reflecting the core findings.
Abstract
Single-paragraph summary including objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.
Single-paragraph summary including objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.
Keywords
Relevant indexing terms that improve discoverability.
Relevant indexing terms that improve discoverability.
Introduction
Background, literature context, research gap, and objectives.
Background, literature context, research gap, and objectives.
Materials & Methods
Detailed methodology, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
Detailed methodology, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
Results
Clear and objective presentation of findings using tables and figures.
Clear and objective presentation of findings using tables and figures.
Discussion
Interpretation of results, significance, limitations, and future directions.
Interpretation of results, significance, limitations, and future directions.
Conclusion
Concise summary of key findings and implications.
Concise summary of key findings and implications.
6. Formatting Requirements
- Consistent formatting and spacing
- Standard academic fonts
- Clear headings and alignment
- Define abbreviations at first use
7. Figures & Tables
- High-quality figures and tables
- No misleading manipulation
- Clear captions and numbering
- Avoid duplication of data
8. Reference Style
Plant Science Horizons follows the IEEE citation style. References must be numbered sequentially in the order cited within the text using square brackets (e.g., [1], [2], [3]).
Authors are responsible for reference accuracy. The use of bibliography software such as EndNote, Zotero, or Reference Manager is strongly recommended.
9. Ethical Requirements
Ethical approval statements for human/animal studies
Honest reporting of all data
No fabrication or manipulation of results
Compliance with publication ethics
10. Plagiarism Policy
All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism-detection software. Manuscripts exceeding acceptable similarity thresholds may be rejected or returned for revision.
11. Data Availability
Authors are encouraged to provide data availability statements and share supporting datasets where possible.
12. Peer Review & Revision Process
All manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process involving at least two independent reviewers.
Authors must respond carefully to reviewer comments and provide clear explanations of revisions made during resubmission.
13. Acceptance & Publication
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting, production, and proofreading before publication. Authors are responsible for final proof approval.
14. APC & Licensing
The journal currently operates under a no-fee publication policy until 2029.
Authors retain copyright and articles are published under a Creative Commons license.
15. Commitment to Quality Publishing
Plant Science Horizons is dedicated to maintaining high editorial standards, ethical publishing practices, scientific integrity, and transparent peer review to support global dissemination of impactful plant science research.