Editorial report

2003 was another good year for the New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science (NZJCHS). A record number of papers was submitted and all issues were published on schedule. In addition, a review of our production system was carried out and work began on a new cover design.

Papers submitted in 2003

In 2003, the journal received 116 submissions, of which 39% were from New Zealand researchers and the remainder by authors from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, and United States. Contributions from relevant research organisations in New Zealand as a percentage of all papers submitted during the year were: The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd (9% cf. 15%, 2002); the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited (11% cf. 13%, 2002); Lincoln University (8% cf. 2%, 2002); UNITEC Institute of Technology (3%); and Massey University (2% cf. 6%, 2002).

Just over half of the papers (54%) submitted were in the area of crop science with the remainder in the area of horticultural science. The main horizontal divisions by discipline were: production (45% cf. 37%, 2002); pathology (16% cf. 14%, 2002); breeding and genetics (12% cf. 10%, 2002); physiology (9% cf. 20%, 2002); insect pests (8% cf. 6%, 2002); postharvest (4% cf. 8%, 2002); biochemistry (3%); and others (3%).

Papers were refereed by 200 referees from: New Zealand (27%); United States (27%); Australia (17%); United Kingdom (9%); Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Oman, Peru, South Africa, and Spain making up the remaining 20%.

The rejection rate for papers submitted in 2003 is currently 36%. Most papers were rejected because the work reported did not meet the standards for publication in a scientific journal (e.g., the work reported was not new, had major deficiencies, or was of poor quality).

Papers published in 2003

Volume 31 comprises 42 scientific papers (cf. 32, 2002) and 7 book reviews printed over 400 pages (cf. 311, 2002) in four issues. In 2003 the average time from submission of a paper to acceptance was 23 weeks and the average time from acceptance to publication was 18 weeks. The total publication time of 41 weeks is slightly longer than it took in 2002 (36 weeks)-most likely because of the record number of papers handled! The Editorial Advisory Board and I are still confident that these publication times can be improved.

Politics and progress

In 2003 the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) commissioned a review to provide information "as to the suitability of the current production model and the appropriate level of government subsidy" for New Zealand's national scientific journals. Financial issues, including the current level of funding and the deficits of the journals, are matters of concern. Although the review produced sound coverage of the current situation and a comprehensive account of the various scenarios to produce the journals and to disseminate the published research it did not provide any new information that we had not already considered. The two options that the review recommends be considered for the dissemination of published research are the same two options that we, along with other scientific publishers worldwide, are on the brink of choosing between, i.e., dependence on subscription income with limited distribution (the standard model) versus full funding by authors so that access to an electronic version is free enabling maximum dissemination and visibility ("open access" model). It would be logical to develop any model together with other New Zealand scientific publishers-for wide coverage, maximum efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

The Editorial Advisory Board has considered the recommendations of the review and I understand that the wider scientific community will have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion of our national publishing program in 2004.

Although page charges were made compulsory for all papers submitted in 2003, authors can apply for a waiver if they have no funds to cover publication charges. A new benefit to authors is the ability to download a PDF file of their published papers free. In addition, we now offer authors the single journal issue in which their papers are published at a special discount price.

New look

From 1989 until December 2003 the journal cover (designed by Denis Gourley, DSIR Publishing, Wellington in 1989) provided NZJCHS with a unique identity as part of the suite of scientific journals originally published by DSIR. After 15 years we have now adopted a new cover design (based on a design by Carla Appel, graphic designer/assistant photographer at Crop & Food Research, Lincoln) featuring a colour image relating to a paper published in the issue. The printed March 2004 issue of NZJCHS features an image provided by Martin Heffer and Sharlene Cookson of HortResearch to highlight the invited review by Ross Ferguson published in the issue to celebrate the 100 years of kiwifruit in New Zealand, 1904-2002. Many thanks to Carla, Martin, and Robert Lomas (NZJCHS typesetter) for their contributions to the new cover.

Many thanks to all contributors to the journal in 2003-authors, referees, and readers.

Sandra Stanislawek
Scientific editor
Editor, New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science
8 March 2004
Endorsed by the Editorial Advisory Board