The Effect of Scale Insects on Growth Parameters of cv. Chardonnay and cv. Sauvignon Blanc Grapevines Grown in a Greenhouse
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The topic is very interesting. I think the manuscript will be suitable for publication after minor revision. Authors need to add the author's citation to a scientific name for the first time in the text. Where they found significant differences in statistical analysis (p=0.04, p=0.006, etc.), they may write as p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001. My comments are given in the attached PDF file and also given below:
Line 46: add author citation to a scientific name.
Line 50: add author citation.
Line 59: add author citation.
Line 91: p=0.0005---- author may write as p <0.001
Figure 1: It will be better if the scale bar is placed at the bottom corner of the image. I also suggest placing the two images (A & B) side by side. Figure 1B need to zoom to increase the visibility of the adult insect on the stem.
Line 104: p>0.05--- mention the value of p.
Line 110: mention the value of p.
Line 112: Cultivar- Is statistical analysis performed between two cultivars? Infested- is the statistical analysis between non-infested and infested?
p=0.04, p=0.03--- author may write as p<0.05
Figure 2. Placing the scale bar at the bottom corner of the image will be better.
Line 122: p<0.001
Line 124,125: p<0.05
Line 167: add p values.
Line 245: Eucalyptus spp.
Line 309: 149.19---- mention direction.
Line 315: 25 degrees, 15 degrees --- Celsius? add.
References--- maintain proper style. Avoid commas after the Last author's name, Use full stops in abbreviated journal names, and bold the year of publication.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Line 46: add author citation to a scientific name.
Done
Line 50: add author citation.
Done
Line 59: add author citation.
Done
Line 91: p=0.0005---- author may write as p <0.001
Changed to p<0.001
Figure 1: It will be better if the scale bar is placed at the bottom corner of the image. I also suggest placing the two images (A & B) side by side. Figure 1B need to zoom to increase the visibility of the adult insect on the stem.
Moved scale on 1A and put arrow pointing to adult female insect on B
Line 104: p>0.05--- mention the value of p.
Nothing done as p>0.05, does reviewer mean give value of exact test?
Line 110: mention the value of p.
Nothing done as p>0.05, does reviewer mean give value of exact test?
Line 112: Cultivar- Is statistical analysis performed between two cultivars? Infested- is the statistical analysis between non-infested and infested?
Model is comparing within group Cultivar (Chardonnay vs Sauvignon Blanc) and with group Infested (infested vs control)
p=0.04, p=0.03--- author may write as p<0.05
Done
Figure 2. Placing the scale bar at the bottom corner of the image will be better.
Done
Line 122: p<0.001
Dome
Line 124,125: p<0.05
Done
Line 167: add p values.
Done
Line 245: Eucalyptus spp.
Changed
Line 309: 149.19---- mention direction.
Done
Line 315: 25 degrees, 15 degrees --- Celsius? add.
Done
References--- maintain proper style. Avoid commas after the Last author's name, Use full stops in abbreviated journal names, and bold the year of publication.
I have used the IJMS endnote style.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors,
Very interesting and comprehensive study and important topic for viticulture, especially in a warmer climates. Scale insects can be very dangerous if left out of control, they seem to be slow but they can easily cause 'sudden' colapse of plant.
This study requires minor changes. Please find the attached pdf of the article with some additional comments.
Wish you all the very best!
Kind regards,
Reviewer
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Responses to Reviewer 2
Pg 1
- Unify abbreviations
Done
- Control
Done
- Keywords
Added some suggested words
- Add references
Added
Pg. 2
- Add references.
Done
- Re-write sentences 50-55.
Done
- Economic problem of pest
Currently unknown as no study has been done on the economic losses to scale insects as Wine Australia has not designated scale insects as a problem. However individual vineyards have been complaining.
- Sauvignon Blanc (as resistant to scale insects) Chardonnay (as susceptible to scale insects)
Change made
- Control?
Control inserted
Pg3.
- Treatment?
Done.
- Arrows indicate position on leaves
Changed
- Can this sentence be changed to before Figure 1?
Done.
- Or “although the two cultivars differed in mass produced”
Changed to this wording.
Pg.5
- “Slight shift to left by scales present on leaves”
Added.
- Bi-plot?
Decided to stick with PCA because of simplicity
- Simplify legend
Done
Pg. 6
1.Simplify information on VIP
Done
Pg.7
- Cultivar
Encompasses comparison between two cultivars (SB vs Char)
- Something like:
Included in text as reviewer phrased it.
Pg.8.
1.Robust growth
Changed
- Add references
Done
- Add references
Done
- Add reference
Done
- Discussion of spread of scale insects
Did my best, but again little known about this outside work in my group.
Pg. 9
Thanks for the interesting comments. Have done my best, but again the research needs some outside support.
Pg.10.
- Figure change?
Kept the figure nearly the same as the linear modelling was done using Cultivar (SB vs Char) and Infested (yes or no) and explained the abbreviations in the legend as they were used as random factors (location of plant).
- Levels
Hope I have made this clearer as it was 2 treatments x 2 cultivars
- Location of scale introduction
Yes, “in the first branching point” added to text.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
