The original concept was to publish rapidly 2-page summaries of sets of contemporary data (often likely to be of rather ephemeral interest) in time for planning the coming growing season’s work. No such mechanism was available in the UK to meet the need.

Throughout, the Editors of TAC have aimed to publish papers with minimal editing to avoid ambiguity and misleading conclusions. The style and format of TAC have remained relatively unchanged and state-of-the-art electronic transmission and production of papers have been adopted increasingly. To broaden the coverage provided by TAC and to achieve a wider agronomic balance, reports on responses of crop varieties to growing conditions, cultural operations and fertilisers have been included, though papers on crop protection, including the use of biological control agents, have tended to dominate most volumes.

The success of TAC has depended on the support of contributors and it was most rewarding to all concerned that the numbers rose rapidly from 30 papers in the initial volume in 1980, to about 70 for Volumes 4-15 (with a peak of 95 in Volume 14). However, in recent years, the numbers of papers published have decreased significantly, with less than 20 in each of the most recent volumes. Furthermore, there has been a notable change in the countries of source of the published papers. In the largest volumes of TAC, at least 50%, and occasionally 90%, were from the UK (frequently from Members of the Association) but this representation has fallen to well below 25%.

The Council of the Association has given serious consideration to these trends, especially in the broader context of the Association’s overall business, and has concluded regretfully that Tests of Agrochemicals and Cultivars has already enjoyed its best years and that the in-house work that would be required for the production of further volumes would be disproportionately large, relative to the benefits that might reasonably be expected to accrue. The Council has decided therefore that the Association’s production of TAC is to cease after this volume (TAC 27).

The Council thanks all the contributors who have supported TAC since 1980 – not only for offering papers but also for their understanding of, and compliance with, the Editor’s requests. The Association is fortunate and grateful to have been able to rely since 1980 on only a small number of Editors (see Langton et al., 2004), amongst whom very special acknowledgement is due to the late Mr Geoff Wheatley (President of the Association in 1986 and Editor of TAC from 1980-1990) who was instrumental in conceiving and implementing the concept of TAC. Dr Alwyn Thompson (President of the Association 2003-2004) has the especial distinction of being the only editor of TAC to serve twice (1989-1994 and 2003-2006) and to be its last editor. Great thanks are due to him for his dedication and to those in the Association’s Office who, with industry and enthusiasm, have effectively attended to much of the production of TAC throughout its 27 years.

The Council of the Association of Applied Biologists is proud to acknowledge that, from 1980-2006, TAC has been a team effort par excellence.

B R KERRY

(President, Association of Applied Biologists)

April 2006

Langton F A, Millman C A, Thompson A R. 2004. Association of Applied Biologists 1904-2004: A Celebration of Achievement. ISBN 0-9549230-0-6. Wellesbourne, UK: Association of Applied Biologists. 112 pp.