World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

DISEASE STATUS AND MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF VEGETABLES IN BUEA MUNICIPALITY, SOUTHWEST REGION OF CAMEROON

Eneke Esoeyang Tambe Bechem, Doris Besem Arrey*, Manju Evelyn Bi Tima and Ayukndip Catherine

ABSTRACT

Vegetable consumption in Buea and its environs has increased in recent times. Constraints towards its production must be taken care of. This study investigates the fungi contamination of vegetables and to identify the taxonomic classes. Survey of 40 vegetable fields was carried out and samples from five preferred vegetables (bitterleaf, waterleaf, huckleberry and amaranthus) were cultured for fungi using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium. The results revealed that vegetables farming is a female-dominated venture (64.8% females), of age between 31 to 40years and educated. Vegetable production is challenged by fungal diseases with varied symptoms including; necrosis, leaf spots, leaf curl, and mosaic. All the isolates of fungi culture were identified to be aseptate fungi of the class Zygomycetes. Conclusively, vegetable production is facing threats due to diseases especially that of fungi in the class Zygomycetes. Therefore, it is important for the government to provide the farmers with agrochemicals to curb vegetable diseases management in view to lower diseases and microbial infections.

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