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Editorial report2002 was a very good year for the New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science (NZJCHS). The journal received a very high number of submissions and all issues of Volume 30 were published on schedule. Publication times for papers were reduced and the citation data improved. The Editorial Advisory Board met for the first time and a strategic plan for the journal was developed. Papers submitted in 2002In 2002, the journal received 102 submissions, of which 37% were from New Zealand researchers and the remainder by authors from Turkey, India, China, Australia, United States, Greece, Italy, Brazil, Tanzania, Jordan, France, and Egypt. Contributions from relevant research institutions in New Zealand as a percentage of the total were: The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd (15%); the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited (13%); Massey University (6%); and Lincoln University (2%). Equal numbers of papers were submitted in the areas of crop and horticultural science. The main horizontal divisions by discipline were: production (37%); physiology (20%); pathology (14%); breeding and genetics (10%); postharvest (8%); insect pests (6%); and others (5%). Papers were refereed by 160 referees from: New Zealand (32%); United States (31%); Australia (16%); Canada (4%); United Kingdom (4%); France, Italy, Israel, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, South Africa, Japan, and Brazil making up 13%. The rejection rate for papers submitted in 2002 is currently 41%. 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 2002Volume 30 comprises 32 scientific papers and 10 book reviews printed over 311 pages in four issues. In 2002 the average time from submission of a paper to acceptance was 22 weeks and the average time from acceptance to publication was 14 weeks. The total time of 36 weeks is an improvement on the average of 40 weeks that it took for papers to be published in 2001. The Editorial Advisory Board and I are confident that these publication times can be further improved. Progress and changeSince late 2002, authors have been requested to submit their papers as PDF files, in addition to hard copy format. Referees have been sent the electronic files and asked to provide a report within 2 weeks. This has already started to reduce the publication times for papers submitted in late 2002. Papers accepted for publication in NZJCHS are now first published in electronic form on the Internet. The journal is available to subscribers in online (electronic) only or in printed form (plus online free). The latest (2001) ISI Journal Citation Reports give NZJCHS an impact factor of 0.431, which is the highest impact factor recorded for the journal to date. NZJCHS is ranked 29/55 among the agronomy journals and 12/19 among the horticulture journals listed by ISI. Popular summaries of NZJCHS papers have been published in The Orchardist and Grower. The publication of research in popular format in relevant trade publications assists in the transfer of technology and the application of research. Page charges became compulsory from 1 January 2003 in an attempt to make RSNZ less reliant on the Government for funding. However, they will be waived for authors who face personal hardship or where the research was not funded. Editorial Advisory BoardThe Editorial Advisory Board met for the first time in August 2002 and a second meeting was held in February 2003. There have been some recent changes to the Board. Dr Peter Stone resigned in February 2003 to take up a position in Australia. Peter is thanked for his contribution to NZJCHS at a time when the strategic plan was being developed. Three new members were welcomed in February (not only to replace Peter!) to cover various disciplines and institutions-Dr Nihal De Silva (The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd); Assoc. Prof. George Hill (Lincoln University, Canterbury); and Dr Prue Williams (New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited, Christchurch). Prof. David McNeil moved to the Victorian Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Australia in 2002 and is now an Australian representative on the Board. Future strategiesThe Strategic Plan for the development of the journal has been completed and the Editorial Advisory Board has already started to put some of the strategies into action. The journal scope has been revised to encourage commentaries in addition to scientific papers and review articles. The journal intends to publish abstracts of student theses to promote current student research and upcoming researchers in the New Zealand region. A focus area on wine grapes and oenology will also be developed. Cultivar releases and descriptions of new cultivars will be actively encouraged and more papers on biosecurity and biotechnology will be sought. Editorial Advisory Board members will be seeking opportunities for NZJCHS to have a closer association with local scientific societies and for opportunities for NZJCHS to publish research presented at conferences and meetings and by visiting researchers. Although most efforts will be going into improving publication times and rapid publication of accepted papers (as well as back issues) on the Internet, the Board will consider improving the cover of the printed journal to make it look more up-to-date. It seems that 2003 will be an exciting year! Many thanks to all contributors to the journal in 2002-authors, referees, and readers. I look forward to working with you all in 2003.
Endorsed by the Editorial Advisory Board
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