Journal Guide
Frontiers in Plant Science Impact Factor 4.8: Publishing Guide
Plant biology: genetics, physiology, ecology, and crop improvement
4.8
Impact Factor (2024)
~50-60%
Acceptance Rate
~80-110 days median
Time to First Decision
What Front. Plant Sci. Publishes
Frontiers in Plant Science published by Frontiers is an open-access journal covering all aspects of plant biology and agriculture. With JIF 4.8 and Q1 coverage, FPS emphasizes research on plant genetics, physiology, ecology, and crop improvement. The journal publishes research on plant development, stress response, and agricultural applications. Critically: FPS values research with clear biological or agricultural relevance. Pure molecular characterization without plant context is less competitive. The journal seeks papers advancing plant understanding or agricultural productivity.
- Plant genetics: gene function, QTL mapping, genomics, CRISPR applications
- Crop improvement: breeding, trait selection, yield enhancement
- Plant physiology: growth, development, stress responses, signaling
- Abiotic stress: drought, heat, cold tolerance, adaptive mechanisms
- Plant-microbe interactions: pathogenesis, symbiosis, beneficial microbes
- Photosynthesis: light reactions, carbon fixation, efficiency improvement
- Root biology: nutrient uptake, rhizosphere, root development
- Sustainable agriculture: reducing inputs, improving practices, resilience
Editor Insight
“Frontiers in Plant Science publishes plant research advancing agronomic and biological understanding. We seek genes or mechanisms with clear plant physiological or agricultural significance.”
What Front. Plant Sci. Editors Look For
Gene or trait advancing plant function or agricultural productivity
Identify gene or mechanism improving growth, stress tolerance, or yield. Show functional significance through phenotypic characterization.
Rigorous genetic and molecular characterization linking gene to phenotype
Show how gene/mutation affects plant phenotype. Characterize expression, localization, interaction. Link DNA/RNA to plant physiology.
Agronomic significance or field-relevant performance
Connect lab findings to agricultural outcomes. Show how gene improves crop performance, yield, or stress tolerance in realistic conditions.
Mechanistic understanding of how trait drives phenotype
Explain molecular mechanisms. How does gene affect physiology? What signaling pathways involved? Mechanism stronger than association alone.
Breeding or biotechnology pathway for trait utilization
Show how discovery enables crop improvement. How would breeders use this? CRISPR potential? Application pathway matters.
Why Papers Get Rejected
These patterns appear repeatedly in manuscripts that don't make it past Front. Plant Sci.'s editorial review:
Gene/molecular characterization without agronomic relevance or field performance
FPS expects agricultural or plant biological significance. Lab gene characterization alone insufficient without phenotypic consequence.
Field-grown plants without rigorous molecular characterization
Phenotypic observation needs molecular support. Characterize gene expression, protein function, signaling pathways.
No functional validation of proposed gene function
Show gene actually causes phenotype. Loss-of-function, gain-of-function, or overexpression validation essential.
No discussion of breeding application or agronomic impact
Connect to agriculture. How does discovery benefit crops? Why would breeders care?
Limited environmental conditions or growth stages tested
Show phenotype robust across conditions. Single-condition testing less compelling than multi-environment validation.
Does your manuscript avoid these patterns?
The quick diagnostic reads your full manuscript against Front. Plant Sci.'s criteria and flags the specific issues most likely to cause rejection.
Insider Tips from Front. Plant Sci. Authors
Stress tolerance genes (drought, heat, cold) highly competitive
Climate change drives interest in crop resilience. Genes improving stress tolerance have immediate relevance.
Yield-enhancing traits increasingly valued
Genes or mechanisms improving yield receive strong editorial interest for food security.
CRISPR and gene editing applications trending
Using CRISPR to validate genes or improve traits increasingly prominent in plant research.
Microbiome and beneficial microbe interactions gaining prominence
Plant-microbe interactions affecting growth or stress tolerance increasingly competitive.
Sustainable agriculture and reduced-input systems valued
Research reducing fertilizer, pesticide, or water requirements increasingly important.
The Front. Plant Sci. Submission Process
Manuscript preparation
Prep5,000-8,000 words with 5-7 figures. Include gene identification, molecular characterization, functional validation, phenotypic analysis, mechanistic discussion, agronomic significance.
Submission via Frontiers system
Day 0Submit at https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/. Required: manuscript emphasizing gene novelty and agronomic significance, figures showing characterization and phenotype.
Editorial assessment
1-2 weeksEditor assesses gene novelty and agronomic relevance. Papers lacking functional validation or agricultural context face lower priority. Moderate desk rejection ~20-30%.
Peer review
80-110 days2-3 plant biology experts assess gene characterization, functional validation, and agronomic significance. First decision 80-110 days.
Revision and publication
Revision: 4-8 weeksRevisions often request additional functional validation or field data. Publication 2-4 weeks after acceptance.
Front. Plant Sci. by the Numbers
| 2024 Impact Factor | 4.3 |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | 4.5 |
| Acceptance rate | ~50-60% |
| Desk rejection rate | ~20-30% |
| Median first decision | ~95 days |
| Open access APC | ~$1,600-2,000 |
| Publisher | Frontiers |
| Founded | 2010 |
Before you submit
Front. Plant Sci. accepts a small fraction of submissions. Make your attempt count.
The pre-submission diagnostic runs a live literature search, scores your manuscript section by section, and gives you a prioritized fix list calibrated to Front. Plant Sci.. ~30 minutes.
Article Types
Research Article
5,000-8,000 wordsPlant gene/trait research with functional validation
Review
7,000-12,000 wordsPlant science topic review
Landmark Front. Plant Sci. Papers
Papers that defined fields and changed science:
- Stress tolerance gene discovery (2000s+) - drought and heat resistance
- Yield-enhancing traits (various) - food security
- CRISPR plant improvement (2010s+) - gene editing validation
- Beneficial microbe symbiosis (various) - plant-microbe cooperation
Preparing a Front. Plant Sci. Submission?
Get pre-submission feedback from reviewers who've published in Front. Plant Sci. and know exactly what editors look for.
Run Free Readiness ScanNeed expert depth? Human review from $1,000
Primary Fields
Related Articles
- Desk Rejection: What It Means, Why It Happens, and What to Do Next
- How to Respond to Reviewer Comments (Without Losing Your Mind)
- How to Choose the Right Journal for Your Paper (A Practical Guide)
- Pre-Submission Scientific Review: What It Costs, When It Works, and When to Skip It
Ready to submit to Front. Plant Sci.?
A desk rejection costs months. Get expert feedback before you submit, from scientists who know exactly what Front. Plant Sci. editors look for.
Avoid Desk Rejection
Get expert pre-submission review before you submit to Front. Plant Sci.. 3-7 day turnaround.
Manuscript Rejected?
Expert revision help to strengthen your manuscript and resubmit with confidence.
Reviewer Response Help
Get expert guidance crafting your response to Front. Plant Sci. reviewers.
Need field-expert depth? Human review from $1,000