Life Sciences and Agriculture

Journal of Plant Protection Research

Content

Journal of Plant Protection Research | 2023 | vol. 63 | No 2

Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

Food and crops are sourced primarily from agriculture, and due to the enormous growth in population, agricultural goods are in great demand, while farmland is being developed for residences. Therefore, certain chemicals, like pesticides, are being overused and have become unavoidable to increase crop productivity and storage. Excessive release of pesticides into the environment and food chain may pose a health risk. Food and agricultural products need routine analyses to monitor the level of pesticide residuals. As pesticide detection techniques are labor-intensive and require highly qualified professionals, an alternative technique must be developed, such as analytical nanotechnology. The most commonly used nanomaterials for pesticide delivery, enrichment, degradation, detection, and removal are metals, clays, polymers, and lipids. In colorimetric analysis of pesticides, metal nanoparticles are widely used which are quick, easy, and do not require any sample preparation. This manuscript compiles the latest research on nanotechnology in pesticide formulation and detection for smart farming.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Karthick Harini
1
ORCID: ORCID
Koyeli Girigoswami
1
ORCID: ORCID
Pragya Pallavi
1
ORCID: ORCID
Anbazhagan Thirumalai
1
ORCID: ORCID
Pemula Gowtham
1
ORCID: ORCID
Agnishwar Girigoswami
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Medical Bionanotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai-603 103, India
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The field of plant pathology has adopted targeted genome editing technology as one of its most crucial and effective genetic tools. Due to its simplicity, effectiveness, versatility, CRISPR together with CRISPR-associated proteins found in an adaptive immune system of prokaryotes have recently attracted the interest of the scientific world. Plant disease resistance must be genetically improved for sustainable agriculture. Plant biology and biotechnology have been transformed by genome editing, which makes it possible to perform precise and targeted genome modifications. Editing offers a fresh approach by genetically enhancing plant disease resistance and quickening resistance through breeding. It is simpler to plan and implement, has a greater success rate, is more adaptable and less expensive than other genome editing methods. Importantly CRISPR/Cas9 has recently surpassed plant science as well as plant disease. After years of research, scientists are currently modifying and rewriting genomes to create crop plants which are immune to particular pests and diseases. The main topics of this review are current developments in plant protection using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in model plants and commodities in response to viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, as well as potential applications and difficulties of numerous promising CRISPR/Cas9-adapted approaches.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Kallol Das
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Benjamin Yaw Ayim
3
ORCID: ORCID
Natasza Borodynko-Filas
4
ORCID: ORCID
Srijan Chandra Das
5
F.M. Aminuzzaman
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
  2. Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
  3. Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, Ashanti 23321, Ghana
  4. Plant Disease Clinic and Bank of Pathogens, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, Poznan, Poland
  5. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Rice Farming System Division, Regional Station, Gopalganj, Bangladesh
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

Contamination by pesticides is known to be one of the major issues that are enormously degrading the quality of food and fodder crops together with increased agricultural, environmental and aquatic pollution. Many analytical and laboratory methods are available for detection of these pesticides in products in order to maintain food security but these methods are not readily accessible to most people including farmers for on-site and onfield detection in the crops. The development of more convenient, fast, and cost-effective methods that can be easily accessed by laymen based on simple paper strips or mobile analyzers etc. are need of the time. This review includes a brief discussion about novel devices which have been introduced in the field for pesticide detection viz. easy to use colorimetric and non-colorimetric detection methods based on various electrochemical and optical sensing strategies. These techniques exhibited promising results in field of on-site pesticide detection owing to their easy production, high sensitivity and readily accessible results obtained with these portable devices. This review further describes emerging prospects, deficits and challenges associated with the application of the aforementioned sensing devices.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Khushbu Gumber
1

  1. Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional behavior and some immunological criteria (encapsulation index and phenoloxidase – PO activity, the key enzyme for melanization) as well as to study the effect of protein to fat (P : F) diets on hypopharyngeal gland (HPG) protein content. Bees were restricted to consuming specific P : F diets varying in fat ratio under laboratory conditions. These diets included 25 : 1, 10 : 1, 5 : 1 (low-fat diet, LFD); 1 : 1 (equal-fat diet); 1 : 5, 1 : 10 (high-fat diet, HFD), and 1 : 0 (zero-fat diet) as a control. Bees preferred low-fat diets over high-fat diets, where it was 11.27 ± 0.68 μl · day–1 bee in 10 : 1 P : F, while it was 4.99 ± 0.67 μl · day–1 bee in 1 : 10 P : F. However, sucrose consumption was higher in high-fat diets where it was 25.83 ± 1.69 μl · day –1 bee in 10 : 1 P: F, while it was 30.66 ± 0.9 μl · day–1 bee in 1 : 10 P : F. The encapsulation index and phenoloxidase activity of bees were positively linked with the fat level they consumed during all 10 days. The maximum percentage of encapsulation index was 74.6 ± 7.2% in bees fed a high-fat diet, whereas the minimum percentage was 16.5 ± 3.6% in bees which consumed a lowfat diet. Similarly, phenoloxidase activity increased in the haemolymph with increasing fat consumed by bees (0.001 ± 0.0001 and 0.005 ± 0.0003 mM · min –1 · mg –1 at 25 : 1 and 1 : 10 P : F, respectively). The protein content of hypopharyngeal glands in bees which consumed HFD was double that of LFD. Overall results suggest a connection between a fat diet and bee health, indicating that colony losses in some cases can be reduced by providing a certain level of fat supplemental feeding along with sucrose and protein nutrition.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Mushtaq T. Al-Esawy
1

  1. Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

Field research was conducted at Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in 2019–2021. The objective was to determine the effects of bacterial formulations and cover crops on the biomass, number and species composition of dominating weeds prior to spring barley harvest. The field trial involved two factors: A – bacterial formulations: I – control, II – nitrogen-fixing bacteria ( Azospirillum lipoferum Br17, Azotobacter chroococcum), III – nitrogen-fixing bacteria ( Azospirillum lipoferum Br17, Azotobacter chroococcum) + phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria ( Bacillus megaterium var, phosphaticum, Arthrobacter agilis), IV – nitrogen-fixing bacteria ( Azotobacter chroococcum) + plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) ( Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Pseudomonas fluorescens); B – cover crops: control without a cover crop, red clover, red clover + Italian ryegrass, Italian ryegrass. Spring barley was harvested in late July. Weed samples were collected just before harvest to determine the fresh and dry matter of weeds as well as their number and species composition. The research demonstrated conclusively that an application of bacterial products combined with cover crops contributed to a significant reduction in the weight and number of weeds including dominating species such as Chenopodium album, Sinapis arvensis, Tripleurospermum inodorum and Elymus repens. Superior weed control was achieved in spring barley grown in combination with Azotobacter chroococcum + PGPR and a mixture of red clover and Italian ryegrass as a cover crop.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Anna Płaza
1
Alicja Niewiadomska
2
Rafał Górski
3
Robert Rosa
1

  1. Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Siedlce, Poland
  2. Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
  3. Faculty of Engineering and Economics, Ignacy Mościcki University of Applied Sciences in Ciechanów, Ciechanów, Poland
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The study objective was to investigate the influence of microbiologically obtained surfactin on the feeding and development of Oulema melanopus and Oulema gallaeciana on spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum) and spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare). The purified bioproduct was applied to the leaves of cereal plants at a concentration of 660.5 mg · l –1. The tests were conducted as a no-choice test and a choice test. Pest feeding and egg-laying were analyzed. The addition of surfactin to the food reduced the feeding of female and male tested insects as compared to controls. Male pests caused less damage to plants than females. Insect feeding on surfactin-treated plants was low in the first days of the experiment. The tested insects laid fewer eggs on plants treated with the biosurfactant. In terms of food selection, both female and male Oulema spp. were much more likely to choose food to which surfactin had not been applied. It can thus be concluded that surfactin can contribute positively to the biological control of beetles of the genus Oulema under natural conditions. However, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms by which analogues of this compound limit the development of this cereal pest in its natural environment.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Beata Koim-Puchowska
1
Robert Lamparski
2
Joanna Maria Dróżdż-Afelt
1

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
  2. Department of Biology and Plant Protection, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate qualitative and quantitative chemical compounds of plant water extract (PWE), and the reduction potential of Corum herbicide (bentazone and imazamox) doses using PWE for weed control in faba bean fields. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of diverse allelochemicals including polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The field experiment results showed clear differences between the measured traits in response to the applied treatments. The application of Corum at 1.5 l · ha –1, at 0.75 l · ha –1, and at 0.75 l · ha –1 + PWE significantly reduced weed density and biomass, with a weed control efficiency of 75.5–78.4, 57.4–53.3 and 68.2–56.9 % during the first-second cropping seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, Corum at 1.5 l · ha –1 and at 0.75 l · ha –1 + PWE treatments guaranteed approximately the same yield components and improved the faba bean yield (Q · ha –1) by 65 and 40% in 2018–2019 and by 91 and 85% in 2019–2020, respectively. Therefore, the results suggest that PWE in combination with a lower herbicide dose (up to 50%) could be used as a potential weed management strategy in faba bean. Further research is required to understand the phytotoxic mechanisms of the studied extract-herbicide mixtures and their modes of action.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Boutagayout Abdellatif
1
ORCID: ORCID
Bouiamrine El Houssine
2 1
Adiba Atman
3
Yahbi Mohammed
4
Nassiri Laila
1
Belmalha Saadia
2

  1. The Environment and Soil Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Sciences-Moulay Ismail University, B.P.11201 Zitoune, Meknes, Morocco
  2. Department of Plant and Environment Protection, National School of Agriculture, Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknès, Route Haj Kaddour, Meknes, Morocco
  3. Laboratory of Agro-Industrial and Medical Biotechnologies, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni Mellal, Morocco
  4. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science-Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The first record of an oriental, alien aphid species belonging to the genus Takecallis, associated with the cold hardy bamboo Fargesia rufa T.P.Yi, collected in Słupsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland, is provided. The increase in worldwide trade of new frost-resistant ornamental bamboo varieties as a source of introducing alien species of insects in Europe and the role of garden centers as potential dispersal sites for these species is discussed.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Karina Wieczorek
1

  1. Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The aims of this study were to prospect Penicillium and Talaromyces species associated with Austrocedrus chilensis in sites with and without Austrocedrus Root Disease (ARD), which is caused by the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri; and to find Penicillium sp. strains with biocontrol activity against this disease. Isolations from sites with and without the prevalence of ARD were made, and the obtained isolates were phenotypically and molecularly identified to species level. Several Penicillium species were isolated from all sites; five of them were exclusively isolated from sites with ARD. Penicillium communities were compared through multivariate analyses; communities were more complex in sites with ARD. Biocontrol activity of Penicillium and Talaromyces isolates was evaluated using co-cultures with Ph. austrocedri. Penicillium glabrum, T. amestolkiae, P. palitans, and P. crustosum showed the highest biocontrol effect. Our results highlight that Penicillium species have high biocontrol activity, which also reinforces the hypothesis that some Penicillium species could be used in formulating a control strategy.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Jorge Ariel Marfetán
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
María Laura Vélez
3 4
ORCID: ORCID
Ricardo Comerio
5
ORCID: ORCID
Ana Gallo
1 6
ORCID: ORCID
Stella Romero
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Phytopathology and Applied Microbiology, Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico (CIEFAP), Argentina
  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
  3. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Phytopathology and Applied Microbiology, Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico (CIEFAP), Argentina
  4. Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), Argentina
  5. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil “Ing. Agr. Guillermo Covas”, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Argentina
  6. Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCYT), Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (Agencia I+D+I), Argentina
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

Postharvest insect pests constitute major threats to food security because they cause qualitative and quantitative damage to agricultural produce. Therefore, eco-friendly and cost-effective measures should be used for their management. In this study, five botanical powders ( Trema orientalis and Crataeva religiosa leaves; and Citrus tangelo, Citrus maxima and Citrus aurantifolia peels) were admixed with Spintor® [1.25 active ingredient (a.i.) mg · kg –1] and evaluated as toxicants against Tribolium castaneum. Each botanical powder and spintor was solely applied at 1000 mg · kg –1 millet seeds. Spintor-botanical powder mixtures admixed at a ratio of 1 : 1 (w/w) were applied at 500 and 1000 mg · kg –1, corresponding to 0.313 and 0.625 a. i. mg · kg –1 for spintor in the mixtures, respectively. On the 14th day of exposure, the Citrus species admixed with spintor and applied at 500 mg · kg –1 evoked significantly (p < 0.05) higher percentage mortality (72.22–90.28%) than what was observed in the mixture of spintor with T. orientalis (22.08%) or the mixture of spintor with C. religosa (17.92%) applied at 500 mg · kg –1. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the Kaplan-Meier estimates of the treatments against the insects. The time required to kill 50% of the assayed insects (LT50) when Citrus species were admixed with spintor at 500 mg · kg –1 (10 days) was shorter than 14 days observed in the mixture of spintor with T. orientalis or C. religiosa. Therefore, admixing spintor with any of the Citrus powders [at 1 : 1 (w/w)] applied at 500 mg · kg –1 seed is recommended for the protection of millet seeds against T. castaneum.,
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Oludele Ajiboye
1
Samuel Adelani Babarinde
1
ORCID: ORCID
Gabriel Olulakin Adesina
1
Oludayo Christopher Olusoji
2
Timothy Abiodun Adebayo
1
Kasali Amofe Adelasoye
1

  1. Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
  2. Fruit Improvement Unit, National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

An application of biostimulants is becoming an increasingly popular operation in agriculture because they positively affect crop performance and qualitative characteristics, and prevent stress-related losses. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an application of the following biostimulants: PlonoStart, Aminoplant, and Agro-Sorb Folium, and the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC on total carotenoids in table potato tubers. The research material consisted of tubers of two table potato cultivars, Oberon and Malaga, which were produced in a 3-year field experiment. Chemical analyses of fresh material were conducted 4–6 days following harvest. Biostimulants applied with the herbicide significantly increased the table potato tuber content of carotenoids compared to tubers obtained from unamended control plots. The highest accumulation of carotenoids was determined following an application of the biostimulant Agro-Sorb Folium, and it was higher in the tubers of cv. Oberon versus cv. Malaga. It should be added that in the available literature there is no research on the effect of biostimulants on the content of carotenoids in potato, which is the main food in the world. Carotenoids perform many important functions in the human body. They exhibit antioxidant properties, which means that they protect cells from damage, and also have a beneficial effect on the immune system. Carotenoids are substances that show an indispensable effect on the health and appearance of the skin. Regular consumption of them in the form of vegetables and fruits ensures its firmness, elasticity, smoothness, as well as a healthy appearance. The protective function of carotenoids against free radicals simultaneously contributes to slowing down the aging process. This action, in turn, translates into preventing the development of cancer or diseases of the circulatory system.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Iwona Mystkowska
1
ORCID: ORCID
Krystyna Zarzecka
2
ORCID: ORCID
Marek Gugała
2
ORCID: ORCID
Agnieszka Ginter
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Department of Dieteties, John Paul II University of Applied Sciences, Biała Podlaska, Poland
  2. Department of Agrobioengineering and Animal Sciences, Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Siedlce, Poland

Instructions for authors

Instructions for Authors

Manuscripts published in JPPR are free of charge. Only colour figures and photos are payed 61.5 € per one colour page JPPR publishes original research papers, short communications, critical reviews, and book reviews covering all areas of modern plant protection. Subjects include phytopathological virology, bacteriology, mycology and applied nematology and entomology as well as topics on protecting crop plants and stocks of crop products against diseases, viruses, weeds, etc. Submitted manuscripts should provide new facts or confirmatory data. All manuscripts should be written in high-quality English. Non-English native authors should seek appropriate help from English-writing professionals before submission. The manuscript should be submitted only via the JPPR Editorial System (http://www.editorialsystem.com/jppr). The authors must also remember to upload a scan of a completed License to Publish (point 4 and a handwritten signature are of particular importance). ALP form is available at the Editorial System. The day the manuscript reaches the editors for the first time is given upon publication as the date ‘received’ and the day the version, corrected by the authors is accepted by the reviewers, is given as the date ‘revised’. All papers are available free of charge at the Journal’s webpage (www.plantprotection.pl). However, colour figures and photos cost 61.5 € per one colour page.

General information for preparing a manuscript

All text should be written in a concise and integrated way, by focusing on major points, findings, breakthrough or discoveries, and their broad significance. All running text should be in Times New Roman 12, 1.5 spacing with all margins 2.5 cm on all sides.

Original article

The original research articles should contain the following sections: Title – the title should be unambiguous, understandable to specialists in other fields, and must reflect the contents of the paper. No abbreviations may be used in the title. Name(s) of author(s) with affiliations footnoted added only to the system, not visible in the manuscript (Double Blind Reviews). The names of the authors should be given in the following order: first name, second name initial, surname. Affiliations should contain: name of institution, faculty, department, street, city with zip code, and country. Abstract – information given in the title does not need to be repeated in the abstract. The abstract should be no longer than 300 words. It must contain the aim of the study, methods, results and conclusions. If used, abbreviations should be limited and must be explained when first used. Keywords – a maximum of 6, should cover the most specific terms found in the paper. They should describe the subject and results and must differ from words used in the title. Introduction – a brief review of relevant research (with references to the most important and recent publications) should lead to the clear formulation of the working hypothesis and aim of the study. It is recommended to indicate what is novel and important in the study. Materials and Methods – in this section the description of experimental procedures should be sufficient to allow replication. Organisms must be identified by scientific name, including authors. The International System of Units (SI) and their abbreviations should be used. Methods of statistical processing, including the software used, should also be listed in this section. Results – should be presented clearly and concisely without deducting and theori sing. Graphs should be preferred over tables to express quantitative data. Discussion – should contain an interpretation of the results ( without unnecessary repetition) and explain the influence of experimental factors or methods. It should describe how the results and their interpretation relate to the scientific hypothesis and/or aim of the study. The discussion should take into account the current state of knowledge and up-to-date literature. It should highlight the significance and novelty of the paper. It may also point to the next steps that will lead to a better understanding of the matters in question. Acknowledgements – of people, grants, funds, etc. should be placed in a separate section before the reference list. The names of funding organizations should be written in full. References In the text, papers with more than two authors should be cited by the last name of the first author, followed by et al. (et al. in italics), a space, and the year of publication (example: Smith et al. 2012). If the cited manuscript has two authors, the citation should include both last names, a space, and the publication year (example: Marconi and Johnston 2006). In the Reference section, a maximum of ten authors of the cited paper may be given. All references cited in the text must be listed in the Reference section alphabetically by the last names of the author(s) and then chronologically. The year of publication follows the authors’ names. All titles of the cited articles should be given in English. Please limit the citation of papers published in languages other than English. If necessary translate the title into English and provide information concerning the original language in brackets (e.g. in Spanish). The list of references should only include works from the last ten years that have had the greatest impact on the subject. Older references can be cited only if they are important for manuscript content. The full name of periodicals should be given. If possible, the DOI number should be added at the end of each reference. The following system for arranging references should be used: Journal articles Jorjani M., Heydari A., Zamanizadeh H.R., Rezaee S., Naraghi L., Zamzami P. 2012. Controlling sugar beet mortality disease by application of new bioformulations. Journal of Plant Protection Research 52 (3): 303-307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10045-012-0049-9 Online articles Turner E., Jacobson D.J., Taylor J.W. 2011. Genetic architecture of a reinforced, postmating, reproductive isolation barrier between Neurospora species indicates evolution via natural selection. PLoS Genetics 7 (8): e1002204. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002204 Books Bancrof J.D., Stevens A. 1996. Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques. 4th ed. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, UK, 776 pp. Book chapters Pradhan S.K. 2000. Integrated pest management. p. 463-469. In: "IPM System in Agriculture. Cash Crop" (R.K. Upadhyaya, K.G. Mukerji, O.P. Dubey, eds.). Aditya Books Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, India, 710 pp. Online documents Cartwright J. 2007. Big stars have weather too. IOP Publishing PhysicsWeb. Available on: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002204

Tables, Figures, Phothographs, Drawings

Tables and figures should be uploaded as separated files at the submission stage. Their place in the manuscript should be clearly indicated by authors. Colour figures are accepted at no charge for the electronic version. In the hardcopy version of the journal, colour figures cost (65,5 € per one colour page). When attaching files please indicate if you want colour only in the online version or in both the online and the hardcopy. Photographs and RGB bitmaps should be provided in JPG or TIFF file format. They must have no less than 300 dpi resolution. The text column should be 8 cm wide and they must be at least 1000 pixels wide. Please send original (not resized) photograph(s), straight from a digital camera, without any text descriptions on the photo. Bitmaps combined with text object descriptions should be provided in MS Word or MS Powerpoint format. Text objects using Arial font-face should be editable (changing font-face or font size). Drawings should be provided in MS Word, MS Powerpoint, CorelDRAW or EPS file format and stored with original data file. Text objects using Arial font-face should be editable (changing font-face or font size). Charts (MS Excel graphs) should be provided in MS Excel file format, and stored with original MS Excel data file without captions but with the number of the figure attached. Please do not use bitmap fills for bar charts. Use colour fills only if necessary. Captions and legends should be added at the end of the text, referred to as "Fig." and numbered consecutively throughout the paper.

Rapid communications

Rapid communications should present brief observations which do not warrant the length of a full paper. However, they must present completed studies and follow the same scientific standards as original articles. Rapid communications should contain the following sections: Title Abstract - less than 300 words Key words - maximum 6 Text body Acknowledgements References The length of such submissions is limited to 1500 words for the text, one table, and one figure.

Reviews

Review articles are invited by the editors.Unsolicited reviews are also considered. The length is limited to 5000 words with no limitations on figures and tables and a maximum of 150 references. Mini-Review articles should be dedicated to "hot" topics and limited to 3000 words and a maximum two figures, two tables and 20 references.

This page uses 'cookies'. Learn more