Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Journal / Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences / Submissions

 

General instructions. The Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences (UJAS) (ISSN: 1026-0919) is a peer reviewed journal publishing manuscripts semi-annually, in the areas of agricultural research and related fields, including reviews. The Journal welcomes manuscript submissions that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence.  The manuscript should not have been submitted elsewhere or published by another journal, with the exception of abstracts. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that publication of the article is officially approved by all co-authors and host institution(s). The manuscript should be double spaced, with margins of 1 inch and line numbered.

Submission of manuscripts is limited to electronic versions to the editorial office at: ujas@naro.go.ug with copies to the Editor-in-Chief at researchcoordination@naro.go.ug. Acknowledgement of receipt of the manuscript will be sent to the corresponding author within 72 hours after successful submission. Peer review reports and copies for proof reading will be sent to the corresponding author before publication, unless otherwise indicated.

Types of manuscripts. Four types of manuscripts may be submitted: (i) original research, (ii) reviews, (iii) short communications and (iv) views and ideas.

Manuscript structure. The typical scientific structure is used, namely Title, Authors’ names and respective addresses including emails, Abstract, Key words, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion  or Results and Discussion, Conclusions, Recommendations (where applicable), Acknowledgement and References. Annexes and appendices are not acceptable in this journal. All illustrations (Figs, Tables, maps, charts, pie-charts, photos, etc. should be placed at the back of the manuscript text.  Manuscripts in the form of views and ideas may assume variable structure depending on the subject at hand. Manuscripts should not be typeset and should not exceed 15 pages including references and illustrations.

Title.  This should be short (maximum 20 words) but sufficient to reflect the contents of the manuscript.

Authors’ particulars. These appear under the title and bear full last (surname) and abbreviated first and other names. Provide functional emails and telephone numbers and mark clearly those of the corresponding author.

Abstract. The abstract should be restricted to a maximum of 250 words. It should bear a background statement to originate the idea or research problem; an objective statement; key methodology issues; summary of findings; and where application key conclusions and recommendations.

Key words. Up to 5 or 6 important or unique words in the ABSTRACT that can be used in addition to those in the title, to search for or retrieve the paper from databases.

Introduction. In a narrative format, Provide background, the problem (dimensions, scope etc.), relevant literature support, ending with a statement of the objective(s). Should be sufficient to cover elements in the objective(s)

Materials and Methods. These are also known as Methodology for non-natural scientific disciplines. This is a narrative of the methods, procedures, equipment and resources used in the study. This section should be written completely to permit other interested researchers use the procedures with some level of precision. Truly new procedures should be described in detail. Previously published procedures should be cited and not reproduced. However, any modifications should be comprehensively described. Capitalize trade names and include the manufacturer's name and address. Subheadings should be used. Methods in general use need not be described in detail. Data analysis must depict the models applied. Formulae and equations used in the investigation should be indexed with Roman numerals at the right hand side of the page. This section should usually not exceed 600 words.

Results. This section presents relevant data in illustrations along with their interpretation to facilitate readers to follow the message enshrined in the objective. The most effective illustrations should be used. Data cannot be presented in more than one form. Previously published data is not acceptable without expressed consent of the copyright holder. Statistical significance level in-text should be indicated with the signs < or > (e.g: p< 0.05; or p> 0.01) as appropriate. In Tables use of asterisks is acceptable where: (*), (**), and (***) refer (p < 0.05), (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.001) progressively. Tables and figures of results should be submitted on separate pages. Titles of Tables and Figures should be captioned at the top and bottom respectively.

Discussion. This section could be presented alone or combined with the Results section. Either way, discussion aspects should provide succinct explanations to each of the observations made in the Results section. Care should be taken not to repeat what has already been presented in the Results section. For purposes of clarification, illustrations containing the data referred to in this section must be indicated sometimes in brackets. Literature, mostly current, should be used to support your arguments.

Acknowledgement. It is important to appreciate institutions and individuals for their vital contribution to the implementation of the research and writing of the manuscript. Take care not to thank co-authors.

References. This section should contain papers cited in the text only. It should be presented in one standard citation style, as should be done for the entire text of the manuscript. In the list of references all publications cited in the text should be presented in an alphabetical order of the first authors. Multiple references in-text should be presented in a chronological order of year of publication. Names of authors, dates of publication and Journal specifications (name, volume, issue and page numbers) should conform to the identity of authors as previously published in the original literature.

In the text refer to the author’s name (without initial) and year of publication.  Examples:  “Mukiibi (1982) has shown that ....”  “This is in agreement with results obtained in Mukono (Bekunda, 1990)”.

If reference is made in-text to a publication written by two authors, the first names of both authors should be included (e.g. Mukiibi and Bekunda, 2004, BUTNOT: Mukiibi & Bekunda, 2004). In case of more than two authors the first name of the lead author should be used followed by “et al.” in italics. For example: Mukiibi, Bekunda, Otim and Aluma (2004) can referred to in the main text as: (Mukiibi et al., 2004).

Publications by the same author(s) in the same year should be listed as 2002a, 2002b, etc.

Arrange your references as shown:

(i) For books, write as:
Gaugh, Jr., H.G., 1992.  Statistical Analysis of Regional Yield Trials.  Elsevier, Amsterdam, 278 pp.
Stover, R.H. and Simmonds, N.W., 1987.  Bananas.  Tropical Agriculture Series.  Longman, Singapore, 468 pp.

(ii) For periodicals.
Bekunda, M.A., Smethurst, P.J., Khanna, P.K. and Willet, J.R., 1990.  Effects of post-harvest residue management on labile soil phosphorus in a Pinus radiator Plantation, Forest Ecology and Management, 38:13-25.

For edited symposia, special issues, books, etc. published in a periodical, write as:
Swift, M.J., Bohren, L., Izac, A.M. and Woomer, P.L., 1994 Biological management of tropical soil: Intergrating process research and farm practice.  In: P.L.  Woomer and M.J. Swift (Editors), The Biological Management of Tropical Soil Fertility.  John Wiley, Chickester, UK, pp. 209-227.

Titles of periodicals in the list of references should be in full.

Work accepted for publication but not yet published should be referred to as “in press”.

References concerning unpublished data and “personal communications” should not be cited in the reference list but may be mentioned in the text.

Nomenclature:
a) With the exception of common domestic animals, identify all biotica (crops, plants, insects, birds, mammals, etc.) by their scientific names when the English term is first used.
b)  All biocides and other organic compounds must be identified by their Geneva names when first used in the text.  Active ingredients of all formulations should be likewise identified.
c)  For chemical nomenclature, the conventions of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the official recommendations of the IUPAC-IUB Combined Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature should be followed.

Review Process
All manuscripts are reviewed by an editor and members of the editorial board or qualified reviewers. Decisions will be made as rapidly as possible and return reviewers’ comments to authors within four weeks. It is the goal of the UJAS to publish manuscripts within 12 weeks after submission.

Proofs and Reprints
Electronic proofs will be sent (e-mail attachment) to the corresponding author as a PDF file.  Page proofs are considered to be the final version of the manuscript. With the exception of typographical or minor clerical errors, no changes will be made in the manuscript at the proof stage.  Because the UJAS will be published freely online to attract a wide audience, authors will have free electronic access to the full text (in PDF) of the article. Authors can freely download the PDF file from which they can print unlimited copies of their articles. All reprint orders and enquiries should be made to the UJAS Secretariat, NARO, Box 295, Entebbe, Uganda.

Copyright:
Submission of a manuscript implies; that the work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, or thesis) that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher.

Copyrights for the papers published in UJAS are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the responsibility of the author to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.

The journal has an online Open Access policy licensed according to Creative Commons Share-Alike Non-Commercial as