Journal profile · Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Plant Science
Plant Gene
ISSN 2352-4073 · Elsevier
Plant Gene: CAS Zone 4 · Biology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.3 (journal website); hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,590; review about 146 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); 77 articles in 2025; indexed in ESCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Plant Gene is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 4 of Biology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Plant Molecular Biology Research, Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance and Plant Gene Expression Analysis, together about 31.7% of its articles. Its main subfields are Plant Science and Molecular Biology. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Plant Gene publishes high-quality research that advances understanding of plant genes and genomes, including their regulation, expression, function, and evolution and their roles in plant biology, adaptation, and traits of biological or agricultural relevance. The journal provides a dedicated forum for studies on the discovery, characterization, and functional interpretation of plant genes, genetic variations, and genome features across model and non-model species, including crops, horticultural species, and wild plants.The journal publishes original research articles, short communications, reviews, and resource articles that provide new biological insights, robust functional interpretation, or valuable reference resources relevant to plant gene and genome research.Topics considered for publication span diverse areas of plant molecular biology, genetics, and genomics, including but not limited toPlant gene regulation and expression (transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, RNA biology, regulatory elements, epigenetics)Plant genome biology and evolution (nuclear, plastid, and mitochondrial genomes; chromatin organization; transposable elements; comparative and evolutionary genomics)Functional and mechanistic genomics (gene discovery and characterization, functional genomics, pathway and network analysis, multi-omics integration)Plant development, signaling, and environmental responses (hormone signaling, developmental transitions, abiotic and biotic stress responses)Plant–microbe interactions and associated systems (symbiosis, pathogenesis, endophytes, co-evolution, horizontal gene transfer relevant to plant biology)Plant diversity, adaptation, and traits (population and evolutionary genetics, domestication, genetic diversity, gene-to-trait relationships, crop improvement)Computational and translational approaches in plant genomics (AI and machine learning applications, predictive modeling, data integration, genome editing, plant biotechnology)Submissions may range from studies of individual genes or regulatory elements to analyses of pathways, networks, and genome-scale datasets. Plant Gene welcomes hypothesis-driven, descriptive, confirmatory, and resource-generating studies when they provide sound data and clear value to the plant genetics and genomics community. Computational studies and resource articles must provide appropriate biological, functional or benchmarking validation. Studies in algae and other photosynthetic organisms, as well as plant-associated microorganisms, are also considered when they provide clear insights into plant gene or genome biology or plant–microbe interactions.Studies that are purely descriptive, with limited biological, comparative, or resource value, as well as computational predictions without adequate validation or interpretation, are generally outside the scope of the journal.Plant Gene is a companion journal to Gene and a member of the Gene Family of journals, alongside Gene Reports and Human Gene, offering a coordinated forum for research on genes, genetic variation, and gene function, with Plant Gene offering a focused platform for plant-centered gene and genome research.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Plant Science
Editor-in-chief Alejandro P. RooneyPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 3 in mainland China (about 18%); most named United States 5, India 5, Mainland China 3, Russia 2, Japan 1 (17 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Plant Molecular Biology ResearchAgricultural and Biological Sciences13.6%
- Plant Stress Responses and ToleranceAgricultural and Biological Sciences10.9%
- Plant Gene Expression AnalysisBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology7.2%
- Photosynthetic Processes and MechanismsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology6.6%
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and ImmunityAgricultural and Biological Sciences6.2%
- Plant tissue culture and regenerationBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5%
- Plant Virus Research StudiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences4.1%
- Plant Reproductive BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.1%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Biology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Biology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Biology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
Database indexing
ESCIScopusLetPub
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 (publisher)
- 2.3Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 3.2LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 3.2Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.46LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.57LetPub ·
- h-index
- 46OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 232OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.23OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 0%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 13.29%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 74LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 620 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 48 | 7 | 19 |
| 2025 | 77 | 16 | 125 |
| 2024 | 42 | 9 | 229 |
| 2023 | 41 | 9 | 282 |
| 2022 | 50 | 6 | 320 |
| 2021 | 79 | 12 | 1,411 |
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
146 dayssubmission to acceptance
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
- Submission to first decision
- 8 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 72 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 146 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 3 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 3,590 / EUR 3,360 / GBP 2,870 / JPY 445,270 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,240 | — | — |
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)
What to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted5
- full-length articlesFull-length articles: Organization should be Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, and References.Length not stated
- minireviewsMinireviews: The journal encourages the submission of concise, highly focused review articles summarizing recent progress in very active areas of research invol…Length not stated
- review articleFull-length articles: Organization should be Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, and References.Minireviews: Th…Length not stated
- short communicationFull-length articles: Organization should be Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, and References.Minireviews: Th…Length not stated
- short communicationsShort communications are brief papers that make a specific well-documented point. In general, a communication should include no more than four figures and table…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, 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 ·- 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
- Elsevier
- ISSN
- 2352-4073
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Plant Gene
What CAS zone is Plant Gene in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Plant Gene is in Zone 4 of Biology, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Genetics & Heredity / Plant Sciences. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Biology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Plant Gene?
The journal's website gives an impact factor of 2.3; this is the journal's own figure, as LetPub lists none for it; CiteScore 3.2, h-index 46.
How long does peer review take at Plant Gene?
The publisher reports about 146 days (submission to acceptance). 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 Plant Gene?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Graphical abstract: Optional; Cover letter: Required. 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 Plant Gene based?
Of the 17 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 3 (about 18%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (5), India (5) and Mainland China (3). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Plant Gene?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Plant Gene is indexed in ESCI and Scopus.
Is Plant Gene open access, and what is the APC?
Plant Gene is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,590.
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 2026-08-28). Last updated: .