Manuscript format:

The paper should include – Title of paper, Authors names and affiliation, Contact information including e-mail address, Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, and Tables, Figures and Illustrations.

Research Papers: A research paper should be written concisely not exceeding 6000 words in length.

Research Notes: A research note is not a full academic paper, it serves to advance a new idea, theoretical perspective, or methodological approach in a scientific study. A research note should be written concisely not exceeding 3000 words in length.

Review Papers: A review paper summarizes the current state of understanding of a topic. It surveys and summarizes previously published studies, rather than reporting new facts or analysis. A review paper should be written concisely not exceeding 6000 words in length.

Submission:

Manuscripts should be submitted in English using the journal’s website. Authors need to register on the website before they can submit a paper. 

Tables, figures, illustrations and photographs must be submitted on separate pages. If you have difficulty in submitting your paper, please email your paper as an attached file to tropical.agri@sta.uwi.edu.

Tables, Figures and Photographs:

All graphs and figures should be prepared in programmes compatible with Microsoft word for Windows operating systems. Both plotted graphs and figures and their co-ordinates should be submitted. Each category of graphics should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals. Footnotes to tables should be indicated by lower-case superscript letters. Figures should be limited to those essential for the text. A result should not be duplicated by presentation as both a table and a graph. Legends must be brief, self-sufficient explanations of the figures and tables. When symbols, arrows, numbers or letters are used to identify parts of an illustration, identify and explain each one clearly.

Line drawings should be submitted as clear black and white drawings suitable for reproduction. All lines should be of uniform thickness. Figures should allow for same-size reproduction and no larger than 20.2 by 25.4 cm. Micrographs should carry an internal measurement, the value of which should be stated in the accompanying legend.

Units and Abbreviations:

Units of measurement must conform to the SI system. Abbreviations and symbols should conform to conventions of the IUPAC-IUB Commission.

Statistics:

Appropriate statistical tools used for data analysis should be identified and appropriate references cited (excluding standard methods such as analysis of variance, regression and chi squared).  If quoting P values, statements such as P ≤ 0.05 and P > 0.05 might not be useful if the actual P value is close to 0.05. Preferably, state the exact P value. Multiple range tests resulting in mean values being quoted with a letter (a, b, c etc.) are often misleading, particularly in a factorial treatment structure and also when a single factor examines increasing levels of treatment (e.g. 0, 50, 100, 150 kg/ha). Mean values should always be presented with a measure of variability such as a standard error or least significant difference (LSD). Stating results as NS (not significant) for the LSD is not an acceptable measure of variability. The editors reserve the right to request copies of the output of the statistical analysis and, in some cases, copies of the raw data before analysis; these will not be shared with a third party unless the authors grant permission.

Citations and References:

These should be in accordance with Chicago Manual of Style, 16^th Edition. References should be arranged alphabetically by first author surname, initials and initials, surname of other authors. Year of publication, title of article, title of Journal, volume (and issue number) as appropriate and page numbers.

Plant nomenclature:

Plant nomenclature is in a state of flux. Authors are thus advised to consult “The Plant List” (https://wfoplantlist.org/plant-list) to ensure that the binomial used in their manuscript is the currently accepted name of the plant in question and the proper authority is named.

Use of artificial intelligence:

While artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving technology, authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the contents of their work. AI should not be used to write papers. Authors should disclose in their methodology any use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies.

Plagiarism:

Authors’ submissions will be put through Turnitin software to determine their similarity scores. Tropical Agriculture will accept papers with similarity scores of less than 20%.