The Pisum Genetics Association (PGA) is a non-profit, unincorporated organization established to foster genetic study of the pea, to facilitate the exchange of information and to ensure preservation of valuable genetic stocks. The journal, Pisum Genetics, is the principal means of meeting these aims. Published annually in one issue, Pisum Genetics contains reports of research findings and other information of interest to researchers studying the genus Pisum.

Membership in the PGA is open to all interested persons and organizations. Dues are US $15.00 per year. These dues are used to help defray the costs of publishing and mailing Pisum Genetics. Members are requested to send checks or bank drafts in US currency only. Such efforts avoid bank charges, which can exceed $10.00 per check in some currencies. Please make checks payable to Pisum Genetics Association and send to Kevin McPhee, NDSU Dept 7670, P.O. Box 6050, 370G Loftsgard, Fargo, ND, USA. Pisum Genetics will be sent upon receipt of dues. Electronic payment is also a possibility. Please contact Dr. McPhee, kevin.mcphee@ndsu.edu, for instructions.

All members of the PGA are welcome to submit manuscripts on topics appropriate for Pisum Genetics. The deadline for such submittals is usually September 1 of the year of publication, allowing for sufficient time for review and revision of manuscripts. The journal provides opportunities for both refereed and non-refereed manuscripts, publication is within 3 to 6 months of submittal, and there are no page charges. Pisum Genetics is indexed in CAB International. As has been the case for the last decade, a web-based version is available shortly after publication of the hard copy (http://hermes.bionet.nsc.ru/pg/).

When submitting an electronic copy of a manuscript, please use Microsoft Word when possible. Other formats can be handled, but these will usually be converted to Word for processing. it is also helpful if authors avoid the use of extra formatting in their submissions (headers, sections, automatic indentation) as these generally have to be eliminated when preparing the manuscript for final printing. Tables created in Word using the table function are most likely to survive the formatting process intact. We have severe limitations on support staff, and the removal of interfering formatting can occasionally be quite time-consuming. Graphics reproduce best at 300 dpi.

Manuscripts are generally separated into two types, research papers and brief communications. Manuscripts submitted as research papers will be subjected to peer review. Research papers should be written concisely, with a short introduction presenting the purpose for the study, a materials and methods section with essential details and references to techniques, a results section and discussion section interpreting the results and integrating findings with those of other workers. Section headings are not obligatory. The length of manuscripts is flexible. Manuscripts under five journal pages are encouraged. Longer papers will be considered on their merits and space availability in the volume. All research papers must be treated similarly to submissions to other refereed journals in that they should contain original work not currently submitted to any other journal.

Brief communications are to encourage a rapid sharing of new results that may not meet the standards of a research paper (i.e. allelism tests not completed, map locations only approximate). Brief communications can also be used to describe the availability of new germplasm. Brief communications will not be subjected to peer review although the editor reserves the right to screen papers for

Submission of Manuscripts

Format of Mansucripts

Brief

Communications

Pisum Genetics

2008-Volume 40

PGA Notes

appropriateness and to review submissions for clarity and brevity. Such submissions will be limited to approximately one page and should be narrowly focused. Otherwise, the format of brief communications (tables, references, etc.) should correspond to that of a research paper. Publication of a brief communication in Pisum Genetics does not preclude publication of a full paper on the same subject in a later issue or in another journal.

Dr. Serge Rozov continues to serve as the webmaster for the PGA website (http://hermes.bionet.nsc.ru/pg/) and has extended the coverage of previous issues available on the site back to volume 19 (1987). Electronic versions of volumes 17

Member News and 18 are expected to be available on this site shortly. Hard copies of volumes 10

through 20, plus a selected number of earlier volumes can be obtained by contacting the editorial office.

Volume 40 is the first issue that I will edit. I would like to thank Norm Weeden and the previous editors for their work in establishing Pisum Genetics as a valuable resource for scientific community concerned with the genus Pisum. As Norm mentioned in Volume 39, the concept of Pisum Genetics transitioning to a new title such as Pisum Biology or Vicieae Biology is possible. It is my interest to tailor the content of the journal to best serve the scientific community.

The PGA continues to be fiscally healthy. Income from dues and subscriptions is expected to be less than expenditures; however, we have considerable funds in savings/certificate of deposit accounts that can cover most PGA expenses for several years. The financial accounts were transferred to Pullman, Washington, in

Financial Report 2007 and then transferred to Fargo, North Dakota, in late 2008 where they are

expected to be maintained for the foreseeable future. The financial report is based on the funds transferred to Fargo, North Dakota, in 2008. Expenditures for publication and distribution of Volume 40 are not included in this report.

iii

Pisum Genetics

2008-Volume 40

PGA Notes

Financial Report

Account balances from preceding year

Checking (Pullman) 357.50

Savings (Bozeman) 1029.68

Savings Certificate of deposit 6021.68

Cash on hand 77.62

Total assets 7486.48

Income

Subscriptions (Pullman) 330.00

Bank interest (Pullman) 386.84

Subscriptions (Bozeman) 80.00

Total income 796.84

Expenditures

Printing costs (volume 39) 537.00

Mailing expenses (volume 39) 252.86

Supplies 51.35

Total expenditures (841.21)

Account balances

Savings/certificate of deposit (Fargo) 6408.52

Checking (Fargo) 687.50

Savings (Bozeman) 346.09

Net balance for Pisum Genetics Association 7442.11

K.E. McPhee for the Coordinating Committee:

M. Ambrose K.E. McPhee S.M. Rozov

T.H.N. Ellis I.C. Murfet W.K. Swiedcki

O.E. Kosterin J.B. Reid N.F. Weeden