Agricultural and Food Science

Focus and Scope

Agricultural and Food Science publishes original research reports on agriculture and food research related to primary production. The papers, which are of international interest but feature a northern perspective, cover a wide range of topics in basic and applied research. The fields within the scope of the journal include agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal science, environmental science, horticulture, plant and soil science and primary production-related food science.

Agricultural and Food Science publishes papers in four categories: Articles, Reviews, Research Notes and Letters to the Editor. Articles address a significant research problem and offer original results. Reviews are systematic, critical reviews of previously published research. Research notes offer an opportunity to publish new methods, preliminary results, or a re-interpretation of previously published results. Letters to the Editor permit discussing of articles recently published in Agricultural and Food Science.

Submissions of articles, reviews, and research notes are internationally peer reviewed. When a manuscript is submitted, it is assumed that the work has not been published elsewhere and that it is not simultaneously being considered for publication by another journal. Studies must follow ethical guidelines.

Agricultural and Food Science is indexed by the following databases: AGRIS, BIOSIS Previews, CAB Abstracts, Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology & Environmental Sciences, FSTA, Science Citation Index Expanded, Web of Science

Section Policies

Articles

Open Submissions

Indexed

Peer Reviewed

Reviews

Open Submissions

Indexed

Peer Reviewed

Research notes

Open Submissions

Indexed

Peer Reviewed

Letters to the Editor

Open Submissions

Indexed

Peer Reviewed

Peer Review Process

Agricultural and Food Science uses a two-step review process. In the first step, the Editorial Board evaluates manuscripts that are within the scope of the journal and scientifically suitable for the peer review process. Letters to the Editor will be reviewed by the editorial board.

All accepted manuscripts are then reviewed by at least  two referees. Authors should suggest four to six names of appropriate, unbiased international reviewers when submitting the manuscript.

The main criteria for evaluation include:

• the originality and novelty of the research
• the importance of the topic to the field
• the appropriateness of the design and methods used
• the organisation and conciseness of the manuscript
• the clarity of expression and grammatical correctness of the English used in the article
• the relevance of discussion and conclusions

The referees are asked to provide their recommendation as follows:

• acceptable for publication in its present form
• acceptable for publication with minor changes as specified
• acceptable for publication with major changes as specified
• unacceptable for publication

The author(s) should carefully revise the manuscript taking into consideration all the suggestions of the referees and the editors. Major changes may require a new review process. The corresponding author will receive a pageproof for approval. No extensive alterations are allowed at this stage. The normal turnaround time for the evaluation of manuscripts is three to five months from the date of receipt.

Publication Frequency

Expected frequency of publication is four issues annually.

Open Access Policy

Agricultural and Food Science provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Editorial Board

The members of the Editorial Board are experts in agricultural and food sciences and are invited for three years.

Professor Juha Helenius, Editor in Chief (agroecology, food and farming systems research), University of Helsinki

Professor Eila Turtola (soil science, environmental science), MTT AgriFood Research Finland

Professor Xavier Irz (agricultural and food economics), MTT AgriFood Research Finland

Professor Tapani Alatossava (dairy technology, food biotechnology, food bioprocessing), University of Helsinki

D.Sc. Mervi Seppänen (crop science), University of Helsinki

D.Sc. Kaisa Kuoppala (animal science, animal nutrition) MTT AgriFood Research Finland

Ph.D. Pekka Uimari (animal science, animal genetics), MTT AgriFood Research Finland

D.Sc. Erja Rappe, Managing Editor (horticulture, qualitative methods)