Are We Growing Yet?

NOVEMBER 2008 ■ VOL. 1, NO. 2 67 WELCOME TO OUR second issue of Th e Plant Genome. Th ere are many signs that there is a growing interest in this journal. First and most important to the genomics community, Th e Plant Genome site experiences an impressive 700 visits per week. Th e open source electronic format off ers our authors the broadest possible exposure to the scientifi c community. Second, in this issue, we feature seven contributed research articles, up from four in the previous issue. While this was not the doubling of submission growth that extreme optimists like me had hoped for, journal growth appears to be headed in the right direction based on the current article submission rate. Th ird, we are receiving articles on a diversity of agronomic and horticultural crops as well as the newest crop category—plants grown for the production of biomass to be converted into renewable fuels. And fi nally, we have received a few articles from authors outside the U.S., which suggests that the journal is being recognized internationally. Th ese are all promising indicators of journal growth, but certainly it is too early to declare success and we remain committed to growing article submission. And so we ask you, to also assist us in promoting Th e Plant Genome to your colleagues by communicating through your scientifi c networks. Please share our promotional letter with your genomics colleagues. Extending awareness of Th e Plant Genome will increase journal growth rate and thereby provide greater readership of your articles.