Journal profile · Plant Sciences
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
ISSN 0885-5765 · eISSN 1096-1178 · Academic Press Inc. · ENGLAND · Monthly · Founded 1986
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology: CAS Zone 3 · Agricultural & Forestry Sciences (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 3.55; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,550; review about 67 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: fairly easy (Elsevier website: 54%); 491 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology is published by Academic Press Inc. and is in Zone 3 of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity, Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases and Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies, together about 41.6% of its articles. Its main subfields are Plant Science. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology provides an international forum for original research papers, short communications and reviews on all aspects of molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, histology and cytology, genetics and evolution of biotic and abiotic stresses on various plant species and plant-microbe interactions.Papers on all kinds of abiotic stresses and biotic stresses caused by infective pathogens, including viruses, viroids, prokaryotes, fungi, and nematodes, as well as mutualistic organisms such as Rhizobium, mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial microbes which are effective in plant protection against diseases, are acceptable as long as they have a bearing on the interaction between pathogen and plant.This journal publishes studies that apply artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), and machine learning (ML) for improvement of knowledge on host-pathogen interactions, disease detection and control strategies, physiological and molecular mechanisms related to infection processes of pathogens and plant defense, supported by validation via in vitro and in vivo biological assays.Research Areas Include:• Recognition in plant immunity• Cell biology of plant-microbe interactions• Plant molecular defense responses, including transcriptome, proteome, miRNA profiling, metabolome• Mechanisms of specific resistance, induced resistance and non-host -resistance• Plant hormones and regulators in plant-microbe interactions• Molecular biology of phytoalexins and other secondary metabolites of the host and their roles in resistance• Pathogen effectors involved in pathogenicity and interaction with the host• Pathogen infection mechanisms and host defense suppression• Novel approaches for disease detection and control or management strategies• Induction of plant immunity and biotechnology of resistance• Pathogen molecular diagnostic.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Plant Sciences
Editor-in-chief Parissa TaheriPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 13 in mainland China (about 25%); most named Mainland China 13, United States 8, Japan 6, Italy 4, South Korea 2 (52 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and ImmunityAgricultural and Biological Sciences22.8%
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal DiseasesBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology11.9%
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria StudiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences6.9%
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing SymbiosisAgricultural and Biological Sciences5.3%
- Plant Virus Research StudiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences5%
- Plant Disease Resistance and GeneticsAgricultural and Biological Sciences4.8%
- Plant Pathogens and ResistanceAgricultural and Biological Sciences4.2%
- Nematode management and characterization studiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences4.2%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Agricultural & Forestry Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Agricultural & Forestry Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Agricultural & Forestry Sciences Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Agricultural & Forestry Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Agricultural & Forestry Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Agricultural & Forestry Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 3.55LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 3.6Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 5.3LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 5.3Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.74LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.04LetPub ·
- h-index
- 72LetPub ·
- h-index
- 122OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 2,169OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.97OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 11.1%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 9.46%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 474LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 4,187 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 422 | 81 | 139 |
| 2025 | 491 | 57 | 1,535 |
| 2024 | 270 | 40 | 1,840 |
| 2023 | 209 | 39 | 2,650 |
| 2022 | 114 | 11 | 1,660 |
| 2021 | 148 | 24 | 2,823 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
67 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports over 12 weeks
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- over 12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 54%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 1 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 28 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 67 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,550 / EUR 3,320 / GBP 2,840 / JPY 440,310 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,770 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers1, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare3 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 30,000 words
Article types accepted10, with length limits
- full paperThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…Length not stated
- original paperThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…Length not stated
- original papers (op)Original Papers represent a substantial novel finding in plant pathology, normally produced through the application of a combination of experimental techniques.Length not stated
- original research articleThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…Length not stated
- original research paperThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…Length not stated
- reviewThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…Length not stated
- review articleThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…Length not stated
- review articlesPhysiological and Molecular Plant Pathology publishes comprehensive, critical, and forward-looking Review Articles that synthesize recent advances in the mechan…Length not stated
- short communicationThe journal Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology accepts three types of manuscripts:Original Papers (OP)Original Papers represent a substantial novel fin…figures and tables ≤ 4
- short communications (sc)Short Communications should not exceed 6 printed pages including tables and figures (30000 characters and up to 4 figures and/or tables), containing all section…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Publishing ethics policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Academic Press Inc.
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Monthly
- Founded
- 1986
- ISSN
- 0885-5765
- Electronic ISSN
- 1096-1178
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
What CAS zone is Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology is in Zone 3 of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Plant Sciences. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 3.55; CiteScore 5.3, h-index 122.
How long does peer review take at Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology?
The publisher reports about 67 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of over 12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Fairly easy (Elsevier website: 54%)”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Manuscript length: ≤ 30,000 words. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology based?
Of the 52 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 13 (about 25%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (13), United States (8) and Japan (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology open access, and what is the APC?
Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,550.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .