Essay on seed production publications in Serbia

Abstract

The books published on seed production and industry were read and 60 non-periodic editions of various contents were found. These editions are classified in the five analytical tables as follows: - nine monographs about the technology of seed production and/or processing of more than one group of plants with totally of 5.858 text pages, 766 tables, 1.798 illustrations, 333 formulae and 4.075 citations; - 10 monographs about the technology of seed production and processing of one group of related cultivated species or of one plant species, with 2.696 text pages, 420 tables, 713 illustrations, 279 formulae and 2.419 citations; - 14 general handbooks/manuals on principal phenomena, diseases, pests, problems, development, technique, machinery and biological processes with 3.236 text pages, 461 tables 1.114 illustrations, 76 formulae and 2.572 citations; - one book on agronomy and 22 monographs on individual plant species with chapters or sections in the first rank position within these book/monographs on seed production with 44 authors and 483 text pages; - two initial handbooks, developmental programme and two books of proceedings with manuscripts with a chapter related to seed production and 15 chapters (430 text pages by 12 authors). The last two analytical tables show a great number of authors on some articles, which is not good, and many authors in books, which is good. Moreover, the coefficient of citation is high (0.7 on the average per a page). A number of (co)publishers have been increasing to over 30, but also several large publishing houses have ceased to exist. The remaining analysed data point out to commonly low levels of headings (undeveloped content) and an increasing number of tables, illustrations and even formulae. Generally, book designs are poor, there are no helpful annexes such as indices or registers, review excerpts, author biographies, summaries and lists of tables. No more than 25% of books have been published in the Cyrillic. Approximately one fifth of reviewers are experts in seed production and processing, while remaining reviewers are experts in other fields.