About the Journal

Advanced Horticultural Practices

• Precision horticulture and smart farming technologies
• Vertical farming and urban horticulture
• Organic and sustainable horticultural practices
• Innovations in greenhouse and controlled environment agriculture

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

• Stress physiology in plants (drought, heat, salinity)
• Plant growth regulators and hormonal control in horticulture
• Photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake in plants
• Secondary metabolites and their role in plant defense

 Plant Pathology and Disease Management

• Diagnosis and management of plant diseases
• Biological control of plant pathogens
• Plant-microbe interactions and disease resistance
• Innovative approaches to disease prediction and monitoring

 Pest Management and Entomology

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies
• Biological control and natural enemies of pests
• Advances in pest monitoring and forecasting
• Use of biopesticides and eco-friendly pest control

 Soil Health and Plant Nutrition                  

• Soil fertility and nutrient management in horticulture
• Role of soil microbes and mycorrhizae in plant health
• Organic amendments and composting in horticulture
• Soil erosion, conservation, and sustainable land management

 Climate Change and Plant Adaptation

• Impact of climate change on horticultural crops
• Breeding climate-resilient plants
• Mitigation and adaptation strategies for horticulture
• Role of horticulture in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation

Water Management in Horticulture

• Efficient irrigation practices and water-use efficiency
• Water conservation technologies in horticulture
• Impact of water stress on plant growth and productivity
• Recycled water use and desalination in horticulture

 Post-Harvest Technology and Quality Management

• Post-harvest handling and storage of horticultural products
• Quality control and shelf life extension techniques
• Value addition and processing of horticultural produce
• Reducing post-harvest losses in the supply chain

 Sustainable Agriculture and Agro-ecology

• Agroforestry and its integration with horticulture
• Permaculture and ecological approaches in plant sciences
• Sustainable land-use practices and biodiversity conservation
• Ecosystem services provided by horticultural systems

 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

• Cultivation and propagation of medicinal plants
• Phytochemistry and bioactive compounds in medicinal plants
• Ethnobotany and traditional uses of medicinal plants
• Economic potential of medicinal and aromatic plants

Plant Propagation Techniques

• Advanced propagation methods (tissue culture, grafting, etc.)
• Breeding for improved horticultural traits
• Seed technology and germplasm conservation
• Role of rootstocks and scion combinations in fruit crops

Landscape Horticulture and Urban Greening

• Landscape design and maintenance techniques
• Role of urban greening in environmental sustainability
• Green roofs, living walls, and urban biodiversity
• Socio-economic benefits of horticulture in urban areas

 Socio-Economic and Policy Issues in Horticulture

• Economic analysis of horticultural enterprises
• Market trends and consumer behavior in horticulture
• Policies and regulations affecting horticulture and plant sciences
• Role of horticulture in rural development and food security

 Innovations in Horticulture Education and Extension

• New approaches in horticulture education and training
• Extension services and knowledge transfer in horticulture
• Digital tools and platforms for horticulture extension
• Community-based horticulture projects and their impact

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences

• Research on livestock production systems, breeding, nutrition, and welfare aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability.
• Veterinary medicine including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in domestic and farm animals.
• Studies on zoonoses, animal health management, and innovations in veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Integration of animal husbandry with agro-ecosystems for improved farm resilience and resource use efficiency.

Scope of the Journal:

The journal focuses on publishing high-quality research that advances the fields of horticulture and agricultural sciences. It covers a broad range of topics, including innovative horticultural practices, plant physiology, genetics, pest and disease management, sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, and veterinary medicine. The journal welcomes studies on advanced technologies, such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, animal sciences, and smart farming, as well as research on climate change adaptation and water management in horticulture. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of post-harvest management, soil health, plant nutrition, and animal sciences. It also explores the socio-economic and policy aspects of horticulture, addressing challenges related to market trends, food security, and rural development

The journal seeks to promote interdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between science and practice, encouraging submissions from academics, industry professionals, and policymakers. It will publish original research articles, reviews, case studies that contribute to the advancement of horticulture and plant sciences globally.

Prime Objectives of the Journal:

1. Promote Cutting-Edge Research: To provide a platform for the publication of high-quality, peer-reviewed research that advances the field of horticulture and plant sciences, with a focus on innovative and sustainable practices.
2. Enhance Sustainable Practices: To disseminate knowledge on sustainable horticultural techniques, including integrated pest management (IPM), organic farming, and resource-efficient practices that contribute to environmental and economic sustainability.
3. Foster Technological Innovation: To highlight the role of emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, and smart farming in improving horticultural productivity, crop resilience, and plant health.
4. Address Climate Change Challenges: To encourage research that explores the impact of climate change on horticultural crops and ecosystems, and to promote strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building.
5. Advance Plant Genetics and Breeding: To support research in plant genetics and breeding aimed at developing improved horticultural varieties with enhanced traits such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, and higher yields.
6. Improve Post-Harvest Management: To contribute to the advancement of post-harvest technologies and practices that enhance the quality, shelf life, and value of horticultural products while minimizing losses throughout the supply chain.
7. Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration: To facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application in horticulture and plant sciences.
8. Support Socio-Economic Development: To explore and promote the role of horticulture in socio-economic development, rural livelihoods, food security, and market-driven innovations.
9. Ensure Food Safety and Quality: To emphasize research on food safety, pesticide residue management, and quality assurance in horticultural produce, ensuring consumer health and safety.
10. Advance Education and Capacity Building: To serve as a resource for educators, extension professionals, and students by publishing articles that offer insights into training, capacity building, and the adoption of innovative horticultural practices. 

11.  Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences: This section covers a broad spectrum of topics including livestock breeding and genetics for productivity and conservation; animal nutrition, feed science, and reproductive physiology to enhance health and performance; and innovative approaches in disease diagnosis, therapeutics, and control. It also welcomes research on zoonotic diseases , animal welfare and ethics, dairy and meat science, poultry production, and integrated farming systems that combine livestock with horticulture or crops for sustainability

Peer Review Policy

The Journal of Horticulture and Agriculture Sciences (JHAS) follows a rigorous, transparent, and ethical peer-review process to ensure the publication of high-quality, original research in the fields of agricultural productivity, crop management, and horticultural innovation. As an open-access journal, JHAS is committed to timely, unbiased, and confidential manuscript evaluation in line with international best practices and COPE Guidelines.

The Step-by-Step Review Process

1. Manuscript Submission

Authors submit manuscripts via the JHAS online portal, ensuring all technical parameters and statistical data are formatted according to the journal’s specific guidelines.

2. Initial Editorial Screening

The editorial team evaluates the submission for:

• Scope: Relevance to horticulture, agricultural sustainability and soil sciences.
• Originality: Evidence of a novel contribution to agricultural knowledge.
• Formatting & Compliance: Adherence to technical reporting standards (e.g., reporting Min-Max ranges in tables).
• Plagiarism Screening: All manuscripts are checked using Turnitin or equivalent industry-standard software.

Manuscripts failing this stage may be returned for technical revision or desk-rejected.

3. Double-Blind Peer Review

• Manuscripts passing the initial screen are assigned to at least two independent subject-matter experts.
• Anonymity: Reviewers remain anonymous to authors, and vice versa, to ensure an unbiased assessment.
• Reviewer Assessment Criteria:
  • Scientific Rigor: Methodology, field experiment design, and statistical data analysis (e.g., PCA or ANOVA).
  • Impact: Practical application of findings for the agricultural community.
  • Clarity: Coherence of logical interpretation and structural flow.
  • Ethical Compliance: Proper citation integrity and data authenticity.

4. Editorial Decision

The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board, evaluates the reviewer reports and issues one of the following decisions:

• Accept: Meets all quality, technical, and ethical standards.
• Minor/Major Revision: Requires specific author modifications and data clarification before reconsideration.
• Reject: Does not meet the required scientific threshold or ethical standards of JHAS.

5. Revision & Resubmission

Authors must provide a point-by-point response addressing all reviewer and editor comments. Revised manuscripts may undergo a second round of review, typically by the original reviewers, to verify that technical concerns have been addressed.

6. Final Decision & Publication

Upon final approval by the Editor-in-Chief, accepted manuscripts proceed to professional copyediting, layout formatting, and digital publication.

Commitment to Ethical Review

• Confidentiality: All research data and manuscript content are handled with strict confidentiality.
• Fair Evaluation: Decisions are based purely on academic and scientific merit, free from commercial or personal bias.
• Reviewer Integrity: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and adhere to the highest ethical standards of peer review.
• Timely Processing: JHAS strives to complete the initial peer-review cycle within 4–6 weeks to support the rapid dissemination of agricultural findings.

JHAS maintains the highest standards of integrity to ensure future eligibility and compliance with international indexing requirements, including DOAJ, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Publishers Information
The Journal of Horticulture and Agricultural Sciences (JHAS) is published by Innovative Science and Technology Publishers (SMC-Private) Limited, located in Village Bakhodero, District Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan.
For more information about the publisher, please click here.