Instructions to Authors of Manuscripts
for the Journal of Plant Registrations
General Requirements
Papers must be new reports of plant cultivars, parental
lines, germplasm, genetic stocks, or mapping populations. Plant material categories are fully described in the
Definitions section of this document; unless otherwise
mentioned all categories will be referred to hereinafter as
“plant material.” Plant material must be officially released
by the originating organization (public or private) prior
to manuscript submission. Submissions to the Journal
of Plant Registrations may not be previously published
or simultaneously submitted to any other scientific or
technical journal. The Publications Handbook and Style
Manual (ASA-CSSA-SSSA, 2004) is a guide to writing style
(available at https://www.crops.org/publications/style/).
Scope
The Journal of Plant Registrations will accept registrations
of plant material with documented novel and unique
characteristics compared to available accession sources
of a particular species. Perspective or review papers on
historical plant material, the registration process, or
related topics may also be accepted with approval of
the editor and after review. Letters to the editor are welcomed and published subject to review. When letters
concern previous articles, the authors will be invited
to reply. The letter and reply are published together.
Purpose of Registration
The purpose of registration is to present new scientific
information and impact future research by providing a
description of new plant material to scientists worldwide.
The document should provide information allowing a
breeder or geneticist to make an informed decision to use
the plant material in a breeding program or genetics study.
Information provided includes the name, method of development, novel and unique characteristics, and method of
access of the plant material. Additionally, registration allows
a thorough documentation of plant material submitted to
the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS).
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) endorses continuation of free exchange of germplasm. To be registered,
plant material must be available for use as source material
for research and breeding. Both nonexclusive and exclusive
releases may be registered. However, restricted-use releases
must be made available to the public without restriction
upon expiry of protections (such as Patents, Plant Variety Protection, or Material Transfer Agreements), which
may not exceed 20 years. Registration of plant material is
coordinated by the Crop Registration Committee of the
CSSA (C852) in cooperation with the USDA-ARS-NPGS.
A sample of each accession registered must be deposited by the registrant into the collection of the USDAARS-National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation
(NCGRP) in Ft. Collins, CO, to ensure long-term preservation and to facilitate distribution of these plant materials.
Registration Submission Procedures
Manuscripts should be submitted to the Editor through
the Manuscript Central system as MS-Word files. Editorial committees for the Journal of Plant Registrations are
listed in Table 1. The website for submission is http://
www.manuscriptcentral.com/cs/. Detailed instructions
for creating and uploading files can be found at this
site, along with instructions for logging on the Journal of Plant Registrations Manuscript Central System.
Prior to acceptance of the manuscript by the journal,
the following forms and seed samples are required:
• Permission to Print: (https://www.crops.org/
publications/pdfs/permissiontoprint.pdf) sent
to Managing Editor, Journal of Plant Registrations, 677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711.
• NCGRP Storage Information Form: (http://
www.ars-grin.gov/ncgrp/forms/storfrm.htm).
• Seed sample deposited with the NCGRP according to instructions on Storage Information Form.
• A form for ordering registration certificates can
be accessed at (https://www.crops.org/publications/pdfs/jpr_registration_form.pdf). Issuance
of registration certificates is not automatic. This
form must be submitted to receive a registration
certificate but is not required for publication.
Prior to acceptance of the manuscript by the journal,
the NCGRP must have received a hard copy (or fax to
970-221-1427) of the NCGRP Storage Information Form,
and a seed sample of each plant material accession registered (amount specified of the NCGRP Storage Information Form) must be deposited with the NCGRP. Each
germplasm accession will be assigned a PI number, placed
in the NPGS, and be available for distribution to scientists according to policies of the NPGS. Protected germplasm will not be distributed without the originators
approval until the protection expires. For PVP and crop
utility patents, this term is 20 years. Delay in submission of a storage sample is the most significant cause
of delay in acceptance of registration manuscripts. It
is strongly recommended that submission to NCGRP
occur at the time of manuscript submission for review.
Manuscript Preparation and Format
Manuscripts should include the following sections (see
additional explanatory notes below for each section):
Title; a byline with names of all authors; author-paper
documentation footnote; list of nonstandard abbreviations used in the paper, and other necessary footnotes;
abstract; introduction; methods; characteristics; availability; acknow­ledg­ments (optional); references; any figure
captions and tables. The title, byline, author documentation, list of abbreviations, and footnotes are on the first
page. Moving citations to the ends of sentences improves
readability and eliminates confusion especially for citations in pedigrees. Start each subsequent section (including figure captions and tables) on a new page and number
all pages. Figures should be submitted in separate files.
Author-Paper Documentation
The author-paper documentation is a single paragraph.
The first sentence lists the authors (without professional
titles), followed by their complete, current addresses. If
a paper has only one author, or if all authors are from
the same department and institution, omit the names
(i.e., give the address only). The second sentence lists
institutional sponsors. If an author has moved and
using the current address leaves no other mention of
the involvement of the former institution, acknowledge
the former institution. Other information such as granting, funding, or dissertation status may follow. End
the author-paper documentation paragraph with these
two statements: “Published in the Journal of Plant Registrations __________. *Corresponding author (e-mail).”
The date published will be filled in by editorial staff.
Abbreviations
Prepare a list in alphabetical order of abbreviations used in your article. Do not include SI units,
chemical abbreviations, or most common abbreviations such as those listed in the style manual.
Body of Registration Manuscript
Section Details
Nomenclature and
Identification of Materials
Title and Byline
The title should follow the format “Registration of . . .”
and include the plant material name and crop. Use common names for crops, and avoid abbreviations. Below
the title, list the names of all authors. Place an asterisk after the name of the corresponding author (i.e.,
the person from whom reprints are to be requested).
Give the complete binomial and authorities at first mention
(in abstract or text) of plants, pathogens, and insects or pests.
Units of Measure
The SI system (Système International de Unités) is required
in the Journal of Plant Registrations. Other units may be
Table 1. CSSA crop registration subcommittees charged with review of registration manuscripts for cultivars, germplasm,
parental lines, genetic stocks, and mapping populations, with the common and scientific names of the crops.
Crop subcommittee, crop names
Crop subcommittee, crop names
Single-crop subcommittees
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.
Sorghum, including sudangrass, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench
Barley, Hordeum spp.
Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Cotton, Gossypium spp.
Sugarbeet, Beta vulgaris L.
Maize, Zea mays L.
Sugarcane, Saccharum spp.
Oat, Avena sativa L.
Tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L.
Peanut, Arachis hypogaea L.
Wheat, Triticum spp.
Rice, Oryza sativa L.
Multiple-crop subcommittees
Grasses, other: bentgrass, Agrostis spp.; bermudagrass, Cynodon spp.;
bluegrass, Poa spp.; bluestem, Andropogon spp.; bromegrass, Bromus
spp.; fescue, Festuca spp.; gramagrass, Bouteloua spp.; pearl millet,
Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Brown; orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata
L.; paspalum, Paspalum spp.; timothy, Phleum pratense L.; wheatgrass,
species in Agropyron, Thinopyrum, and other genera; and various
grasses not otherwise listed
Miscellaneous crops: buckwheat, Fagopyrum spp.; guar, Cyamopsis
tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.; guayule, Parthenium argentatum A. Gray;
hop, Humulus lupulus L.; peppermint, Mentha piperita L. var. piperita;
pyrethrum, Tanacetum spp.; and various nonoilseed crops in families
other than Poaceae and Fabaceae not otherwise listed
Legumes, other: clover, crimson, Trifolium incarnatum L.; clover, red,
T. pratense L.; clover, white, T. repens L.; lentil, Lens culinaris Medikus;
lespedeza, Lespedeza spp.; lupin, Lupinus spp.; pea, Pisum sativum L.;
sweetclover, Melilotus spp.; trefoil, Lotus spp.; vetch, Vicia spp.; and
various legumes not otherwise listed
Sunflower, castor, rapeseed, safflower, and other oilseeds: castor,
Ricinus communis L.; rapeseed, Brassica spp.; safflower, Carthamus
tinctorius L.; flax, Linum usitatissimum L.; and various oil seeds not
otherwise listed
Rye and triticale: rye, Secale cereale L.; triticale, × Triticosecale Wttm.
indicated in parentheses after the SI unit if this aids in
understanding or is needed for replication of the work.
Abstract
The abstract will include the following information: (i) the
name or identification assigned at the time of release; (ii)
scientific name (genus-species binomial name, including
the authority); (iii) the following in parentheses (Reg. No.
______; PI______); (iv) experimental number or designation used during development; (v) names of institutions
involved in official release and development; and (vi)
rationale for release. The abstract should be no longer
than 1250 characters. Do not cite references. The Reg.
No. will be added by editorial staff after acceptance by
the editor. The PI number will be issued to the author by
the NCGRP after submission of a seed sample and must
be included in the manuscript before it can be accepted.
Introduction
This section usually does not have a heading. The first
sentence repeats the information in the abstract: (i) the
name or identification assigned at the time of release; (ii)
scientific name (genus-species binomial name, including
the authority); (iii) the following in parentheses (Reg. No.
______; PI______); (iv) experimental number or designation used during development; and (v) names of institutions involved in official release and development. The
introduction includes an extended rationale that should
include a brief description of the novel and unique characteristics that justify registration compared to currently
available plant materials. For cultivars, the proposed area
of adaptation should also be included. An explanation of
the name and other pertinent information may also be
included. In a separate paragraph, include the pedigree
(format for pedigree will vary according to species, e.g.,
Purdy et al., 1968; Bernard, et al., 1988). Cite previously
published registration articles and NPGS PI numbers
for parents in pedigrees. When possible, trace pedigrees
back from immediate parents through all intermediates
to officially released cultivars or Plant Introductions.
Both sets of information can be searched through the
USDA-ARS-Genetic Resources Information Management
System (GRIN), http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/searchgrin.
html. In addition, provide a description of the probable region of adaptation or use of the plant material.
Methods
Describe the breeding methods (e.g., single seed descent,
modified bulk, early generation testing, mass selection,
pedigree selection) for each generation of advancement.
Include a description of the selection criteria applied at
each generation. Describe selection methods for each
type of trait that will be described in the characteristics
section, including, for example, methods of evaluating
morphological, agronomic, pest resistance, end-use quality, and biochemical traits. Depending on the context,
methods should include scientific names of all organisms, rating scales, size of field plots, number of years,
number of locations, number of replications evaluated,
methods of determining marker genotype data, methods
for determining trait values, and other relevant information. Use citations for previously published methods.
Include the name of the laboratory conducting the evaluation if it is not the author’s institution. Reporting data
collected from author operated trials as well as regional
nurseries is encouraged and considered to be part of
the author’s original contribution to the research.
Characteristics
Characteristics of the plant material being registered will
vary according to the type of plant material (cultivar,
parental line, germplasm, genetic stocks, mapping populations), the species, and the generation being registered.
The characteristics used to justify the registration must be
novel and unique compared to available plant materials.
All claims must be justified with supporting data. Manuscripts in the Journal of Plant Registrations adhere to the
same standards and stringency for reporting data as other
CSSA journals. Claims made regarding unique nature of
the plant material must be supported with appropriate statistical analyses, including the use of accepted probability
levels (e.g., P < 0.05) for describing differences among entries
for metric traits, and comparisons with relevant checks.
Claims based on data from single environments are not
encouraged. Claims based on ­morphological, ornamental,
or genetic traits must be shown to be stable and uniform.
Data presented in the paper as tables and/or figures
should be distilled from supporting trials; comprehensive
data sets are not recommended but could be submitted as
supplementary material published online only. Only the
most germane data should be submitted in either case.
Availability
Discuss the generations of seed increase and the area
of seed production or the method and limitations on
asexual propagation (as applicable) for cultivars, the
agency, organization, or institution that will maintain
basic stocks of these plant materials, any limitation on
availability of the plant materials (e.g., restricted-use
crop material), and the method by which to obtain this
material (and, if applicable, the status of restricted-use
material). For restricted-use material, state specifically the form of restriction, the way to access
the material, and the termination date for the
restriction, which may not exceed 20 years. The
owner is responsible for maintenance and distribution
during the term of the restricted use unless different
arrangements are made with NPGS. For genetic stocks,
the owner is expected to distribute seed samples.
References
The author-year notation system is required; do not
use numbered notation. In the list, arrange references
alphabetically by author. All single-author entries precede multiple-author entries for the same first author.
Use chronological order only within entries with identical authorship (alphabetizing by title for same-author,
same-year entries). Add a lowercase letter a, b, c, etc. to
the year to identify same-year entries for in-text citations. Also do this for any multiple-author entries
that would otherwise result in identical citations in
the text. As with any refereed journal submission,
include all relevant citations concerning the breeding effort. Complete reference information is available
online at https://www.crops.org/publications/style/.
Tables
Prepare tables with the Tables feature in your word
processor; do not use tabs, spaces, or graphics boxes.
Each datum needs to be contained in an individual
cell. Number tables consecutively. Table heads should
be brief but complete and self-contained. Define all
variables and spell out all abbreviations. Tables should
be placed at the end of the main text document.
In tables, *, **, and *** are always used in this order to
show statistical significance at the 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001
probability levels, respectively, and cannot be used for other
notes. Significance at other levels is designated by a supplemental note. Lack of significance is usually indicated by NS.
For table footnotes, use the following symbols in
this order: †, ‡, §, ¶, #, ††, ‡‡. Cite these symbols just
as you would read a table—from left to right and from
top to bottom, and reading across all spanner and
subheadings for one column before moving on to the
next. An exponential expression (e.g., × 10 -3) in the
units line is often necessary to keep the length of data
values reasonably short. This ambiguous expression
must be referenced with an explanatory footnote.
Figure Captions
A figure caption should be brief but sufficiently detailed to be
self-contained. Specify the crop involved, the major variables
presented, and the place and year. Identify curves or symbols in a legend within the figure itself, not in the caption.
Define abbreviations in the caption. Define symbols used
in the caption or in the legend. Be sure to indicate the scale
for micrographs, either in the illustration or the caption.
Figures
Submit figures in high-resolution, individual files (one
figure per file). All panels of one figure need to be in the
same single file and on the same page if possible. Check
your figures in the PDF proof generated by Manuscript
Central, as the figures in the PDF may be used for publication. TIFF or EPS files are best for resolution (don’t insert
these files into a word-processing document because this
will reduce resolution). PowerPoint files should be avoided.
Photographs and drawings for graphs and charts should be
prepared with good contrast of dark and light. Give careful
attention to the width of lines and size and clarity of type
and symbols. Variables (e.g., r, x, y) should be italicized.
Cover Submissions
If you have images that highlight your registration, you
may submit them along with your manuscript in the
Manuscript Central system. Be sure to label the file(s) as
“image” (not “figure”). Cover images need to be at least 300
dpi at actual size; further electronic image specifics can be
found at http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/publications/pdf/
guiddigitalimage.pdf. Otherwise, a slide or glossy print
provides high resolution and can be submitted directly
to the Headquarters office on acceptance of your manuscript (attn: Managing Editor, Journal of Plant Registrations,
677 S. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711). Label it with
the manuscript number and title and provide a descriptive caption, which will aid in the selection process.
Supplemental Materials
If you wish to include supplemental materials, files must
be included with your submission. Please label the file as
“Supplemental File” when you upload. When accepted,
supplemental material will be typeset in normal Journal
of Plant Registrations format. Supplemental data could
include other traits measured during the evaluation process that may not have been the primary focus of the
release, molecular marker summaries, and so on, but
should be well summarized and concise. All pertinent
data supporting the traits underlying the release need to
be adequately summarized in the actual manuscript.
Binomial Authorities
Give the complete binomial and authority for all plant,
pathogen, insect, and other species mentioned. For
plants use the USDA-ARS-NPGS-GRIN Taxonomy for
plants (http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/
queries.pl), the USDA-ARS Agric. Handb. 505 (a checklist of names for 3000 vascular plants of economic
importance), or Hortus Third. Insects can be found in
the latest edition of the American Entomological Society’s Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms.
For fungal pathogens, follow the American Phytopathological Society’s Fungi on Plant and Plant Products in
the United States (Farr et al., 1989). For pesticides and
other chemicals, give both the common name (not the
trade name) and the chemical name. Acceptable sources
include the Weed Science Society of America listings,
the Farm Chemicals Handbook, and the Merck Index.
Revisions
All revisions to the manuscript during the review process will be made by the author only, and revisions
will be given the same manuscript number, with an R
number on the end (e.g., CRJ-2006-04-0017-ORA.R1).
Each revision has the opportunity for additional rounds
of review—the manuscript status “awaiting reviewer
selection” is automatic and does not indicate a resubmission. It is typical for Journal of Plant Registrations
manuscripts to undergo multiple rounds of review.
Publication Charges and
Length of Manuscript
The charge for full-length manuscripts accepted for publication in Journal of Plant Registrations is $350 for members
and $450 for nonmembers for the first four pages and
$100 per additional page (note that four, double-spaced
word processing document pages roughly equal two published pages). Authors are charged $10 per illustration
and table. The charge for each page of color is $500.
Definitions of Registration Types
Cultivars that are officially released by public or private
agencies are eligible for registration provided that the new
variant has demonstrated uniqueness and utility. Registered
cultivars must be statistically different from common check
cultivars for the trait(s) that is the basis of release. The same
level of stringency used for review manuscripts submitted
to other CSSA journals will be followed, including statistical
difference for the trait of interest from multi-environment
trials. Cultivars not meeting this standard will not be
accepted for publication because they do not contribute utility above already-available germplasm sources.
Parental stocks of demonstrated value for hybrid development may be registered. For fertile parental lines with
male-sterile counterparts, all available restoration information for different cytoplasm should be included, and the
specific source of the cytoplasm must be indicated for the
male-sterile counterpart. For restorer lines, all available
restoration information for different cytoplasm should
be included. Hybrid cultivars will not be registered.
Germplasm must possess a unique trait, trait combination, and/or exotic genetic background that broadens
the genetic base of the crop. Germplasm does not need
to be commercially viable in its current form and is not
meant to enter directly into commercialization. Germplasm must have been officially released by the originating institution. Germplasm that will be commercialized
must meet the more stringent standards of cultivar
registrations. Registrations must provide material with
traits useful to breeding programs and have supporting
­scientific evidence to justify the registration of the
germplasm. Some crops, such as grass, shrub, or forb
species, designate “prebreeding” or “prevariety” populations; these will be registered as germplasm if they
have identifiably useful traits or composition to warrant their registration. Under AOSCA guidelines
(AOSCA, 2001), pre-variety germplasms are only to
be released when current seed supplies of a given species are not sufficient and rapid commercialization
is necessary. Therefore, these germplasms will not be
registered without strong evidence that these requirements are met. Scientific justification may include
multi-environment field studies for agronomic traits,
biochemical and/or genetic characterization, or others.
“Source-identified” materials will not be accepted for
registration in the absence of some defining characteristics (although they can be submitted into the NPGS).
Genetic stocks comprise unique morphological, physiological, and chemical mutants, anueploid lines, isolines,
and cytoplasmic male-sterile lines. Genetic stocks are differentiated from germplasm for their use primarily in
basic genetic research. Although genetic stocks must be
deposited with the NPGS, the donor is expected to make
distributions. The owner’s signature on the NCGRP Storage
Information Form authorizes NPGS to distribute from the
Journal of Plant Registrations sample if the owner cannot.
Mapping populations with high intrinsic value (those
used to establish representative or landmark molecular
maps and/or to map significantly important traits) may be
registered. The following information is required in addition to that for all registration manuscripts: (i) full description of the parents including PI numbers if applicable; (ii)
the full procedure used to develop the mapping population
lines (e.g., doubled haploids, recombinant inbred lines);
(iii) a description of the mapping population in terms of
marker type used, marker data generated, parental polymorphism frequencies for markers; (iv) means and ranges
of trait data, (v) relevant literature citations to published
map information, including the types and number of markers mapped, average map distance between markers, range
of map interval size, and quantitative or qualitative traits
mapped. The genotypic array of genotype and trait data for
each parent and line in the population must be publicly
available via a plant genome database. Citations of key
papers produced from making and using the map, as well
as the name and address of the individual or organization
responsible for maintaining and distributing the mapping
populations and parents, related information, and relevant
data must be included. As with genetic stocks, the donor is
expected to make distributions. The owner’s signature on
the NCGRP Storage Information Form authorizes NPGS to
distribute from the Journal of Plant Registrations sample if
the owner cannot. Mapping populations do not have to be
deposited with the NPGS, but they may be deposited upon
consultation with the crop curator (Ullrich et al., 2000).
Useful References
AOSCA. 2001. Genetic and crop standards of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies. AOSCA, Boise, ID
ASA-CSSA-SSSA. 2004. Publications handbook and style manual. 3rd
ed. Available at https://www.crops.org/publications/style/ (verified 15 June. 2007). ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
Bernard, R.L., G.A. Juvik, E.E. Hartwig, and C.J. Edwards, Jr. 1988.
Origins and pedigrees of public soybean varieties in the United
States and Canada. USDA Tech. Bull. 1746. U.S. Gov. Print. Office,
Washington, DC.
Crop Science Society of America, Terminology Committee. 1992.
Glossary of crop science terms. Available at www.crops.org/cropgloss/ (verified 19 Mar. 2007). CSSA, Madison, WI.
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. Beltsville, MD. 2005.
USDA-NRCS Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available at http://
ortho.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/cgi-bin/osd/osdname.cgi (verified 19 Mar.
2006). USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Division, Beltsville, MD.
Purdy, L.H., W.Q. Loegerin, C.F. Konzak, C.J. Peterson, and R.E.
Allan. 1968. A proposed standard method for illustrating pedigress of small grain varieties. Crop Sci. 8:405–406.
Ullrich, S.E., R.C. Johnson, F.J. Muehlbauer, and L.E. Wiesner. 2000.
Establishment of a new crop registration category Mapping Populations. Crop Sci. 40:1189–1190.
USDA-ARS-National Genetic Resources Program. 2005. Germplasm
Resources Information Network (GRIN) database. Available at
www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 19
Mar. 2006). USDA-ARS.
6/2008