JOURNAL OF CEREAL RESEARCH
[GUIDELINES TO AUTHORS]
Journal of Cereal Research (formerly Wheat and Barley Research) is published thrice in a year by the Society for Advancement of Wheat and Barley Research (SAWBAR). On meeting the style and requirements of the journal the following types of material are considered for publication.
Review article, each issue of journal will have at least one and maximum two review articles to cover different areas of specialization. The review article (up to 20 typed pages) should necessarily have a title, brief abstract, key words, introduction and then relevant headings to cover the information provided in the article. The critical research review articles, showing lacunae in research and suggesting possible lines of future work are mostly invited from eminent scientists. The research article or note submitted for publication should have a direct bearing on wheat/ barley research or open up new grounds for productive research. Articles and notes relating to investigation in a narrow but specialized branch of wheat and barley may also form an appropriate material for this journal.
Research articles, not exceeding 5000 words (up to 15 typed pages, including references, Tables, etc.) based on original research data invariably of two years and not older than five years should be exclusive for the journal, should present a connected picture of the investigation and should not be split into parts. Complete information of M.Sc./ Ph.D. thesis should preferably be given in a single or sequential article(s).
Short communication, not more than 2500 words (total 5 typed pages), which deal with (i) research results that are complete but do not warrant comprehensive treatment, (ii) description of new materials or improved techniques or equipment, with supporting data and (iii) a part of thesis or study. Short communication should not have any abstract and sections but can have tables and figures. There should be a summary paragraph at the end just before references.
Instructions for authors: (a) indicate period (years) of study, (b) article should preferably be submitted soon after completion of study, (c) articles on genetics and plant breeding and on plant crops should be based on data of minimum 2 years, (d) contribution involving a former or present student must clarify that it is not based / based on complete M Sc thesis, or complete or a part of the Ph D thesis, indicating its year of submission.
Title, should be short, specific and informative. It should be phrased to identify the content of the article and include the nature of the study and the technical approach, essential for key- word indexing and information retrieval.
Affiliation, should follow immediately below the authors after a line space, smaller font than the authors and be italic. The information on corresponding author should include email, phone and fax numbers.
A short title, not exceeding 35 letters should also be provided for running headlines.
Abstract, written in complete sentences, should not have more than 250 words. It should contain a very brief account of the material, methods, results, discussion and conclusion, so that the reader need not refer to the article except for details. It should not have references to literature, illustrations and tables.
Key words, 5-6 keywords to shortlist, refer and index the article.
Introduction, brief and limited to the statement of the problem or the aim and scope of the experiment. The review of recent literature should be pertinent to the problem.
Material and methods, should have relevant details of study, experimental design and techniques used. Where the methods are well known, citation of the standard work is sufficient. Mean results with the relevant standard errors should be presented rather than detailed data. The statistical methods used should be clearly indicated.
Results and discussion, should be combined and are supported by brief but adequate tables and/or graphic or pictorial materials, wherever necessary. The discussion should relate to the limitations or advantages of the author’s study in comparison with the earlier work and relevant literature should be discussed critically. Self-explanatory tables should be typed on separate sheets, with appropriate titles. The tables should fit in the normal layout of the page. All weights and measurement must be in SI (metric) unit and standard acronym (kgha-1, tha-1, spike m-2, gm-2 etc.) must be used. Tables and illustrations (up to 20% of text) should not reproduce the same data.
Numbering, the headings and subheadings in the article should be numbered (e.g. 1. Introduction 2. Materials and methods and 3. Results and discussion. The subheading(s), if any, under the main heading should also be numbered as 1.1, 1.2 and so on). Headings should be bold, while sub heading should be normal and italic.
Line drawings, should be clearly drawn on A-4 size paper using black/colour waterproof ink on smooth, tough paper. Minor points of style should be noted carefully. Good quality photographs, relevant to the study, preferably in jpg format should be un-mounted and printed on glossy paper. Colour photographs may be sent for better identification or differentiation of different parts of the object. Line-drawings and photographs should have legends (typed). Original artwork should accompany 2 copies.
Acknowledgement, a short para to acknowledge the financial and other support for the study.
References, for citing references recent issue of the journal should be consulted, ensuring that the names and dates in the text and in the reference section correspond. Each citation should have the names of the author(s), initials, year of publication, full title of the article, name of the journal (without abbreviation), volume, preferably the issue (within parentheses), and complete page-range (not merely the first page). Complete name of publisher and place of publication of books should be given. For proceedings/ other publications complete details should be given.
Releases / Genetic stocks of not more than two typed pages, only as running text without abstract, tables, figures and references. Author(s) and affiliation(s) should be given at the end.
All articles are sent to referees for scrutiny, and authors should comply and incorporate comments/suggestions to improve the article.
Articles should be type-written in double space throughout (including by-line, abstract, references and tables) with a 4 cm margin at the top, bottom and left. All articles following journal format and after checking for typographical errors should be submitted online along with duly signed article certificate using link: epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/JWR.
Proof reading, will be online using track changes and all queries/comments marked in the article must be answered point wise. Proofs are supplied for a check-up of the correctness of type-setting and facts. Excessive alterations by author at the stage of proof reading will be charged.
Colour printing, desirous authors need to pay @ Rs 4,000/- (Rupees four thousand only) for four pages or parts of at the time of acceptance.
Membership, all contributing authors must be members (Life/ Annual) of SAWBAR and will receive one free copy of the issue.