Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, an official journal of the Japanese Society of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (JSTSSP), has a history of more than half a century. JSTSSP was established in 1927 and in 1955 began publishing an English language journal, Soil and Plant Food, to promote the international exchange of scientific knowledge. In 1961, the title of the journal was changed to Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (TSSP). TSSP's long history compares favorably with that of other well-known journals in the areas of soil science and plant nutrition. Since 1927, JSTSSP has also published the Japanese Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (Dojo Hiryo-Gaku Zasshi in Japanese). Because the Japanese journal is written in Japanese, abstracts from this journal are translated for inclusion in current issues of TSSP. These abstracts help overseas readers to learn about current trends in the sciences of soils and plant nutrition in Japan.
In principle, the scope of TSSP has not changed since the first issue was published in 1955. In practice, however, the scope has been gradually expanding to encompass our deepening understanding of soils and plants, and their interactions. The development of agricultural technologies based on this more profound understanding has contributed greatly to increases in agricultural productivity. However, food security in developing countries, and even in developed countries, is no longer certain under a changing global environment, and responses to climate change remain a research priority. In addition, the development of technologies capable of harmonizing modern agriculture with the environment requires more knowledge about soils and plant nutrition. Thus, TSSP also covers these research areas. Global environmental problems, such as global warming and soil degradation, threaten the quality of soils around the world, and these soils are the basis not only for crop production but also for human life. Soils are increasingly recognized as one of the most important components of terrestrial ecosystems and soil processes, including soil–plant interactions, are tightly linked with other environmental components including the atmosphere and bodies of water. However, details of these interactions remain largely unknown. Because of their obvious importance, these areas of research will also be covered by TSSP.
Starting with issue 1 of volume 52, TSSP has been published by Blackwell Publishing (http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/TSSP. In addition, anyone working in the agricultural sciences in developing countries can access the full content of TSSP at no charge through the Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture project (AGORA; http://www.aginternetwork.org/en/, which is supported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
TSSP has traditionally published papers submitted by national and international members of JSTSSP. However, we have recently revised our editorial policy so that non-members can now submit their work to TSSP (see the Instructions for Authors in this issue for details). By reforming TSSP, we believe that our journal will attract more readers and encourage more scientists to contribute to TSSP. To strengthen TSSP, our editorial board, which includes internationally known scientists, will work harder to review and edit submitted manuscripts. I look forward to the submission of an increasing range of high-quality papers from around the world.
Readers’ Note
This editoral was originally published in Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 56(4). It is published here with a correction.