Instructions for Authors
Viterra: Agricultural, Biological and Natural Sciences is an international open-access scientific journal specializing in agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences, published by Diginova S.A.S. The journal is dedicated to publishing original and unpublished manuscripts that contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in areas related to agricultural production, biodiversity, natural resources, environmental sustainability, biotechnology, ecology, and related disciplines, promoting scientific exchange and sustainable development.
The journal accepts the following types of manuscripts:
Original Research Articles
These manuscripts present original results derived from empirical, experimental, applied, or theoretical research, providing novel and verifiable contributions to the fields of agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences.
Studies may be based on primary or secondary data obtained through experiments, fieldwork, laboratory analyses, environmental monitoring, observational studies, statistical analyses, modelling, or other recognized scientific methods.
Length: 3,000–6,500 words.
Required structure: Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, and References.
Literature Review Articles
These manuscripts provide critical and interpretative analyses of the scientific literature on a specific topic related to agricultural sciences, biological sciences, or natural sciences.
They should include a clear description of the consulted sources and present an analytical approach that integrates, compares, and discusses the main theoretical, methodological, and conceptual contributions available in the scientific literature.
Length: 3,500–7,500 words.
Suggested structure: Abstract, Introduction, Thematic Development, Discussion, Conclusions, and References.
Systematic Review Articles
These manuscripts consist of a rigorous and methodologically structured synthesis of the available scientific literature addressing a clearly defined research question, with the purpose of integrating evidence, identifying knowledge gaps, and providing significant contributions to agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences.
Manuscripts must follow the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and explicitly describe:
– Databases consulted.
– Search strategies.
– Inclusion and exclusion criteria.
– Data analysis and synthesis procedures.
The PRISMA flow diagram is mandatory.
Length: 3,500–5,500 words.
Required structure: Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, and References.
Essay Articles
These manuscripts are reflective, critical, and argumentative academic works in which the author develops a theoretical or interpretative perspective on issues related to agricultural sciences, biological sciences, natural sciences, environmental sciences, or sustainable development.
They do not present empirical findings or systematic reviews but must be supported by relevant scientific literature and demonstrate conceptual rigor, logical consistency, and originality.
Length: 2,500–6,500 words.
Suggested structure: Abstract, Introduction, Argumentative Development, Discussion, Conclusions, and References.
Editorial Process and Peer Review
All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial screening to verify their compliance with the journal's scope, language quality, internal consistency, editorial requirements, ethical standards, and similarity analysis.
Manuscripts that successfully pass this stage are evaluated by external academic reviewers under a double-blind peer review system, ensuring the confidentiality of both authors and reviewers.
Editorial decisions may include acceptance, acceptance with minor or major revisions, resubmission for a new round of review, or rejection.
Manuscript Submission
Manuscripts must be submitted exclusively through the journal's Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform.
Authors are required to prepare their submissions using the journal's official Microsoft Word (DOCX) template available on the editorial platform.
Required documents:
– Manuscript in DOC or DOCX format.
– Authorship contribution statement.
– Originality declaration.
– Informed consent, when applicable.
Previously published manuscripts or manuscripts under simultaneous consideration by another journal will not be accepted.
Manuscript Format
The manuscript must be prepared in DOCX format using Arial font. The title should be presented in 12-point font. The main text should be written in 11-point font, with 1.5-line spacing and justified alignment.
The Abstract and references must be prepared in 11-point font with single spacing.
Abstract and Keywords
The abstract should be clear, concise, and self-contained, including the study objective, methodology, principal findings, and main conclusions. All abbreviations should be defined upon first use.
Authors must provide three to five specific keywords to facilitate indexing, retrieval, and academic visibility.
Article Structure
The manuscript should be organized into clearly identified sections with coherent and appropriately structured headings and subheadings, following the journal's official template.
For original research articles, the minimum required structure is: Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, and References. Other manuscript types should follow the structure specified in these guidelines.
Citation and Reference Style
Viterra: Agricultural, Biological and Natural Sciences follows a specialized editorial approach in agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences. Accordingly, each manuscript must consistently use a single citation style throughout the document.
The APA 7th edition style may be used for manuscripts related to environmental sciences, natural resource management, environmental education, sustainable development, and other disciplines where APA is widely accepted. Citations must include the author's surname and year of publication, and all cited works must appear in the reference list.
The Vancouver citation style applies to manuscripts related to biological sciences, biotechnology, microbiology, health sciences, veterinary sciences, and other biomedical disciplines, following the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). References must be numbered consecutively according to their first appearance in the text.
Only one citation style may be used within the same manuscript. Mixing citation styles is not permitted.
Figures and Tables
Figures and tables must be numbered consecutively according to their order of appearance in the manuscript, include clear and descriptive titles, and indicate the corresponding source whenever they are not the authors' original work. Images, graphs, maps, and photographs must be submitted in sufficient resolution to ensure appropriate editorial quality.
Figures and tables should complement the manuscript without duplicating information already presented in the text. Where applicable, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted material.
Revisions and Final Version
When a manuscript is returned for revision, authors must submit the revised version within the deadline established by the journal, together with a detailed response to reviewers explaining how each comment has been addressed and providing justification for any recommendations that were not incorporated.
The revised manuscript will be evaluated by the responsible Editor and, when necessary, may be returned to the reviewers to verify that the requested revisions have been satisfactorily completed.
Editorial Policy
These guidelines form part of the editorial policy of Viterra: Agricultural, Biological and Natural Sciences and are intended to ensure scientific quality, editorial transparency, academic integrity, and the dissemination of high-quality research in the fields of agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences.
The journal promotes the publication of original, ethically conducted, and methodologically rigorous research that contributes to sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, responsible management of natural resources, scientific and technological innovation, and the generation of knowledge with academic, environmental, and societal impact.
