Retraction Note: Synteny of Cotton SSR Markers Genomes Paves the Way for Resistance Against Black Root Rot Disease in Cotton

Abstract

This retracts "Synteny of Cotton SSR Markers Genomes Paves the Way for Resistance Against Black Root Rot Disease in Cotton." Adv. Life Sci. 2022 Dec;9(4):462–466. doi: 10.62940/als.v9i4.1200.

Following the publication of this article, an internal audit — conducted in response to quality concerns raised by Web of Science — identified suspected plagiarism. Upon rerunning the Turnitin originality analysis, a similarity index of 80% was detected, with 64% attributable to a single source. The editorial board of Advancements in Life Sciences initiated a formal retraction process on 25 June 2025, during which the full text of the article was rendered unavailable for citation. A show-cause notice was also issued to the concerned editorial team member. Following the recommendation of the Inquiry Team, the Editor-in-Chief retracted this article on 20 July 2025 on grounds of plagiarism, as the internal audit revealed that the article exhibited a high similarity index without proper disclosure or attribution by the authors, constituting a breach of the journal's editorial policy. The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.

The Advancements in Life Sciences Editorial Office regrets that these issues were not identified prior to publication.

History of the retraction process

Editorial Expression of Concern

20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about suspected plagiarism. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.

Editorial Note

25 June 2025: While rerunning the Turnitin originality analysis, a similarity index of 80% was found for this article (64% from a single source). Editorial board of Advancements in Life Sciences has started the process of retracting this article due to the above post-publication findings. The process shall be concluded after registering responses from the authors. Meanwhile, full text of the article shall remain unavailable for citations (this notice has been updated following insights derived from relevant COPE cases and the industry standards). Show of cause notice has also been issued to the concerned editorial team member.

Retraction Note

20 July 2025: The Editor-in-Chief, upon the recommendation of the Inquiry Team, has retracted this article due to plagiarism. An internal audit revealed that several articles, including this one, exhibited a high similarity index without proper disclosure or attribution by the authors. This constitutes a breach of the journal's editorial policy, and the article is therefore being retracted.

The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction.