Introduction to the Crop Science special issue, International Turfgrass Research Conference 2022

Abstract

This special issue of Crop Science includes 28 peer-reviewed scientific articles to be published as part of the 14th International Turfgrass Research Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, 10–15 July 2022. The International Turfgrass Society (ITS) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1969 with the aim to encourage research and education in turfgrass science. ITS’ main activities are International Turfgrass Research Conferences (ITRCs) held every fourth year. Research presented at ITRCs were initially published as proceedings, but in 1993, ITS established its own research journal, ITSRJ, with quadrennial volumes coinciding with the conferences. Although the ITSRJ is a fully refereed journal, its quadrennial status prohibits it from having an impact factor. This is a disadvantage, especially for young scientists who want to publish in a journal with an impact factor to advance their scientific career. Before the 13th ITRC in New Jersey, USA, in 2017, ITS signed an agreement with the Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies (ACSESS; representing the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America) for special ITRC issues of Agronomy Journal and Crop Science as alternatives to publication in ITSRJ. Many authors took advantage of this option, and in a survey after the conference, the majority of ITS members recommended Agronomy Journal and Crop Science as alternatives to ITSRJ even for future conferences. Consequently, in November 2019, ITS signed a new agreement with Wiley publishing company, who now partners with ACSESS for its publications, for the 14th ITRC, which was then scheduled for Copenhagen in 2021. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in December 2020 the ITS board decided to postpone the 14th ITRC, which was originally scheduled for July 2021, by one year. However, this had no implications for the editorial process which was well underway with an increasing number of papers accepted in Crop Science, Agronomy Journal or ITSRJ. Due to these circumstances, we are therefore in a situation where the ITRC issue of Crop Science is finalized approximately nine months ahead of the conference. The papers are nonetheless published on the condition that they will be presented, orally or as posters, at the 14th ITRC. As ITSRJ Editor in Chief and leader of the ITS publication committee, I would like to thank Wiley and ACSESS, especially Mr. Matt Wascavage, Ms. Elizabeth Gebhardt and Ms. Abby Morrison, for their continuous support and smooth collaboration during the editorial process. Special thanks are expressed to Crop Science Editor in Chief, Dr. Paul Scott, Technical Editors Drs. Stacy Bonos and Dale Bremer, and the current and guest Associate Editors and Reviewers who offered time and expertise to realize this special ITRC issue of Crop Science. Guest editors include Michelle DaCosta, Cale Bigelow, Karen Harris Schultz, Jack Fry, Scott Warnke, Kevin Frank, Erik Ervin and Michael Fidanza. I look forward to seeing all of you, readers, authors, editors, and reviewers alike, in July 2022 at the 14th ITRC in Copenhagen.