Author Guidelines
Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science (NJHS) is an international double-blinded, peer- reviewed Journal of Horticultural Society of Nigeria. The journal publishes original research manuscripts in all aspect of horticulture and horticultural industries. Specifically, the journal publishes full length paper, short communication, reviews and technical reports in area of horticultural research and industries that have not been published previously or considered for publication elsewhere. Issues of the journal are released quarterly.
Length of the printed paper
Manuscripts should be as concise as possible in order to reduce to a minimum the number of pages of the journal. As a general rule the maximum recommended length of an invited paper is 15 pages, including figures and tables. An average page of text will contain about 500 words. Reviewers will cut unnecessary information and will advise on the number of pages each manuscript should have taking into account its content and characteristics. For any length over the recommended number of pages, the convener will have the right to charge #2,500 per additional page.
Language
English is the official language of NJHS. However, if the original contribution is presented in other language, it will be acceptable, provided it includes a one-page extended abstract in English.
Units
Use the metric system exclusively. Use abbreviation L for liter, mg L‐1 for milligram per liter, mL for milliliter, μL for microliter and t for tonne (metric ton). SI units can be used where appropriate.
Font and type size
Titles are printed in font size 14. References in the literature cited section in font 10, and the rest of the manuscript, including tables should be font 11. When italic typeface is required, use italic type, do not underline.
Manuscript preparation and publishing process
All manuscripts must be written in English using MS-Word format on A4 size paper, Times New Roman, 1 .5 spacing, font size 11 and maximum of 15 pages. Manuscript and cover letter should be sent, to the Editor-in-Chief using the following e-mail address: njhseditorinchief@gmail.com. and also copied to suyahaya.agr@buk.edu.ng. Upon receipt of manuscript, the corresponding author will be sent an acknowledgement letter to confirm the receipt. The paper will be reviewed by at least two experts and one editorial staff member. The review process is instant and notification of result of review is by e-mail and if submission is accepted, it is revised by author(s) and returned to the Editor-in-Chief via the same address.
Publication Charges
Manuscript should be accompanied with a handling fee of #10,000 ($10 for foreign authors) and upon acceptance of manuscript, a publication fee of #20,000 ($20 for, foreign authors) should be paid into the Journal's account (Account Name: NJHS; Account number 2019308061, Bank: First Bank Plc, Dugbe, Ibadan). Potential author(s) are also expected to send a scanned copy of the evidence of payment for the handling fee to the same e-mail addresses
Organization of a Research Paper
Title: This should reflect the article. It should be written in upper case and not more than 20 words. Use “sentence case” except for proper names, genus names, etc. Do not include Authorities for binomials in titles. Keep titles as concise as possible.
Author(s) names and affiliations: The names {surname followed by initials e.g. Akintoye, A.M.) and affiliation of authors should be provided. The corresponding author should be indicated with an asterisk and e-mail address provided. Present addresses of authors should appear as a footnote.
Abstract: This must state briefly the objective of the study, highlight of major results and conclusion. It should be written in past tense. Abbreviations should be avoided and no literature should be cited. It should not be more than 250 words.
Keywords: Not more than five keywords should be inserted below the abstract. Keywords should reflect the content of the paper for easy retrieval.
Introduction: This should highlight the background of the study, statement of problems explaining its significance, using appropriate and up-to-date references, followed by the objectives.
Materials and Methods: This should be written in a manner that enables the reader to follow in detail both materials and methods of uncommon procedures to allow experiments to be reproduced. New procedures should be described in detail while previously published procedures should be cited. Scientific and vernacular names should be written in full at first citation in italics. Genus may be abbreviated subsequently.
Results and Discussion: This is the heart of the paper. The section(s) may either be presented as a single section or divided into separate Results and Discussion sections. If separate, describe experimental results in the Results section and reserve interpretations, speculations, and conclusions for the Discussion section. At the end of the paper attempt to answer questions formulated in the introduction and conclude with a summary of results and an assessment of future research or prospects. Results should be presented with clarity and precision; and discussed with regards to current knowledge and objectives of the research.
Conclusion: This should be a distinct inference drawn from major findings of the research.
Acknowledgements: This is reserved for journal paper numbers, source of funding, and name of project, if required. Acknowledgement of help from colleagues or professional associates is appropriate but avoid acknowledgement of routine secretarial help or family.
Literature Citation
Format. Citations to references in the text are listed chronologically surrounded by parentheses with the following format: (Peters, 1950; Jones and Smith, 1990; Brown et al., 1999a). If there are two authors with the same name that have published in the same year, initials may be used to avoid confusion. Note: “et al.” is used for three or more authors. Citations to personal communications include the surname or initials of the person and are only to be included within the text, not in the Literature Cited section. The date is optional. Thus: (A.B. Peters, pers. commun.) or (A.B. Peters, pers. commun., 2001). Literature cited should only include references used in the paper. List the authors in alphabetical order, letter by letter, and in chronological order for publications of the same author(s). Do not use a comma before “and” after the penultimate author.
Journal Paper:
Akintoye, M., Akanbi, W. B. and Adebayo, P. (2016). Studies on Some Varieties of Watermelon in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture, 18: 142 -151.
Navazoi, J. P. (2001). Diallel Analysis of High Carotenoid content in Cucumber. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science 126:100-104.
Van, O. S. and Benoit, F. (1999). Stare of the art of Dutch and Belgian greenhouse horticulture and hydroponics. Acta Horticulturae. 481:765-767.
Yahaya, S. U., Auwalu, B. M. and Gani, A. M. (2005). Interrelationship, Path Coefficient Analysis and Percentage Contributions of Yield Components of Vegetable Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Varieties to Total Green Pod Yield. Advances in Horticultural Science. 19(3): 1 – 3.
Book:
Darrow, G.M. (1966). The Strawberry: History, Breeding and Physiology. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York.
Chapter in Book:
Daubeny, H.A. (1996). Brambles. p.109-190. In: J. Janick and J.N. Moore (eds.), Fruit Breeding, Vol. 3, Nuts. Wiley, New York.
Chapter in Conference Proceedings:
Aviram, M. and Fuhrman, B. (1998). Tomato lycopene and -carotene inhibit LDL oxidation. Proc. Tomato and Health Seminar. Pamplona, Spain 25-28 May. p. 45-52.
Website:
Food and Agricultural Organization. 2002. www.fao.org
Tables and Figures
Tables and figures are normally included at the end of the article in that sequence. Prefix the table section with the word Tables and the figure section with the word Figures. Captions are provided directly above each table and below each figure with hanging indents. They are numbered consecutively with Arabic numbers, and aligned with the width of the Table or Figure, or to the full width of the page if the figure or table occupies more than half of the width of the page. Thus, Table 1, Table 2 etc. and Fig. 1, Fig. 2. etc. If the table or figure is not original, give the source at the end of the caption, e.g. Source: Jones et al. (2001).
Tables. Use tables sparingly. Titles of tables go above the table. Place all headings to the centre of their column. The size of the table should not exceed the standard page width and length, but tables may be placed portrait or landscape format. Solid lines are used in the heading and in the bottom of the table but are to be avoided in the body, but, if necessary, use dotted lines. The units of the data must be indicated in parentheses in the table headings. If table footnotes are needed, use superscript Arabic numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. The sources of tables should be in the caption (see model).
Figures. Titles of figures go underneath the figure. Figures may be submitted electronically but provide a hard copy since resolution may be imperfect. If a figure is outsized it may be reduced photographically. Be sure to include clear, sharp pictures. Figures, graphs and drawings normally should be all in black and white, not colour. Coloured photographs can only be printed after a special agreement with the conveners and NJHS Secretariat and there will be a charge to authors.
Submission of Articles
Manuscript and cover letter should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief as an attachment to the following E-mail addresses njhseditorinchief@gmail.com and copied to suyahaya.agr@buk.edu.ng
