Addressing the challenges of feeding the increasing world population is the primary concern mankind
faces. In the era of abrupt changes in climate and increasing environmental pollution, it has been
difficult to sustain the production of safe and secure food crops. Therefore, the plant science
community's intent demands a significant thrust to secure the future of the upcoming generation by
devising strategies for improving plant growth and productivity. In this context, the journal strives to
publish relevant works of high scientific merit and advances the knowledge of the growing scientific
community.
The NBU Journal of Plant Sciences (NBUJPS) is an international peer-reviewed journal published by
the Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, since 2007. It gives the platform for publishing
top-notch research on various topics in plant science, animal-plant interactions, microbiology, food
safety and security, plant disease management, plant breeding, environment and ecology, and many
more.
The journal's editorial board publishes high-calibre articles in print and online (https://njps.nbu.ac.in/)
in one volume each year. The NBUJPS has officially registered for membership in CrossRef. All the
articles are assigned unique DOI numbers and include other CrossRef services like similarity checking
and reference linking. It gives me extreme pleasure to inform you that the NBUJPS publishes all the
articles free of charge. All the articles are published following the open-access policy and are completely
free to read and download.
We are delighted to inform you that volume 15 has been published, including reviews and research
papers. This volume includes articles on the effect of air pollution on plant growth, stress responses of
plants, including local rice cultivars, effective use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and plant
extracts in disease management, cultivation and utilization of exotic pumpkin and underutilized fruits
for food security, exploration of the lichens of Himalaya, and so on. These articles were contributed by
numerous senior professors, scientists, and junior researchers from various institutions. The articles in
this issue cover a broad spectrum of recent advancements in both basic and applied fields of plant
science research, and they are all very important. This volume will significantly benefit all scientists
and researchers working in various plant science sectors regarding contemporary breakthroughs and
need-based research.
Prof. (Dr.) Monoranjan Chowdhury
Head (Ex-Officio)
Department of Botany