Authors should ensure that all abbreviations at first mention in the abstract or text and again in the tables and figures are defined. Once an abbreviation is used, it should be used throughout the entire manuscript except at the beginning of sentences.
The scientific names of genera, species and varieties should be in italics while the authority is in roman type. For example: Spodoptera exempta Walk. The Latin binomial or trinomial and authority must be shown for all plants, insects, pathogens and animals at first listing. For example: “The test crop for this study was maize (Zea mays L.)”.
Both the common and chemical name of pesticides should be given when first mentioned. For example: “Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) was most persistent”. All soils should be identified at the series and family level or at least the Great Group at first mention.
In all manuscripts, SI units should be used. If non SI units are used then metric equivalents should be given at least once in parentheses. Numbers one through nine should be spell out except when used with units. For decimal quantities less than one, a zero should be placed before the decimal point.
The 24-h time system should be used with four digits for hours and minutes. For example: 1430 h for 2:30 pm and 0930 h for 9:30 am. Dates should be reported with the day first followed by the month and the year last. All months with more than four letters should be abbreviated. For example: 14 May, 2006 and 26 Sept., 2006.
