Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization

Boubga Clifford; Tchameni Nguemezi Severin; Totel Hamen Katamssadan; Chia Genevieve Kain; Dikongue Ndondoni Jeannette Fabiola; Mbouobda Hermann Desire

doi:doi:10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization

Boubga Clifford^*

, Tchameni Nguemezi Severin

, Totel Hamen Katamssadan

, Chia Genevieve Kain, Dikongue Ndondoni Jeannette Fabiola

, Mbouobda Hermann Desire

Published in Plant (Volume 14, Issue 4)

Received: 9 September 2026 Accepted: 4 October 2026 Published: 29 October 2026

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Abstract

Cabbage plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Cameroon, contributing to both food security and household income. Nonetheless, its cultivation in the Santa area faces major setbacks due to fungal diseases that lead to substantial reductions in yield. To try to address these burdens, a comprehensive study was conducted involving a survey of 78 farmers to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and agricultural management practices. Concurrently, 160 symptomatic cabbage samples were collected from 10 different farms for diagnosis. Fungal pathogens were isolated from these samples and identified through morphological analysis, pathogenicity tests, and molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The survey indicated widespread use of chemical fungicides such as Balear and Pencozeb, yet highlighted a notable absence of proper protective gear among growers. A total of 96 fungal isolates were obtained, with 11 showing strong pathogenicity. Molecular results identified Fusarium species, primarily Fusarium oxysporum as the most common causal agents. Other harmful fungi detected included Curvularia coatesiae, Colletotrichum kahawae, and Epicoccum nigrum. Disease incidence was found to be especially severe during the dry season. These results underscore the necessity for integrated disease control approaches, enhanced training for farmers on safe pesticide application, and ongoing monitoring of pathogens to support sustainable cabbage production in the region.

Published in	Plant (Volume 14, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11
Page(s)	72-83
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cabbage, Fungal Pathogens, Pesticide Use, Fusarium Spp. Farmer Practices, Cameroon

References

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Clifford, B., Severin, T. N., Katamssadan, T. H., Kain, C. G., Fabiola, D. N. J., et al. (2026). Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization. Plant, 14(4), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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ACS Style

Clifford, B.; Severin, T. N.; Katamssadan, T. H.; Kain, C. G.; Fabiola, D. N. J., et al. Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization. Plant. 2026, 14(4), 72-83. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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AMA Style

Clifford B, Severin TN, Katamssadan TH, Kain CG, Fabiola DNJ, et al. Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization. Plant. 2026;14(4):72-83. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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@article{10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11,
  author = {Boubga Clifford and Tchameni Nguemezi Severin and Totel Hamen Katamssadan and Chia Genevieve Kain and Dikongue Ndondoni Jeannette Fabiola and Mbouobda Hermann Desire},
  title = {Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization},
  journal = {Plant},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {72-83},
  doi = {10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.plant.20261404.11},
  abstract = {Cabbage plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Cameroon, contributing to both food security and household income. Nonetheless, its cultivation in the Santa area faces major setbacks due to fungal diseases that lead to substantial reductions in yield. To try to address these burdens, a comprehensive study was conducted involving a survey of 78 farmers to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and agricultural management practices. Concurrently, 160 symptomatic cabbage samples were collected from 10 different farms for diagnosis. Fungal pathogens were isolated from these samples and identified through morphological analysis, pathogenicity tests, and molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The survey indicated widespread use of chemical fungicides such as Balear and Pencozeb, yet highlighted a notable absence of proper protective gear among growers. A total of 96 fungal isolates were obtained, with 11 showing strong pathogenicity. Molecular results identified Fusarium species, primarily Fusarium oxysporum as the most common causal agents. Other harmful fungi detected included Curvularia coatesiae, Colletotrichum kahawae, and Epicoccum nigrum. Disease incidence was found to be especially severe during the dry season. These results underscore the necessity for integrated disease control approaches, enhanced training for farmers on safe pesticide application, and ongoing monitoring of pathogens to support sustainable cabbage production in the region.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization
AU - Boubga Clifford
AU - Tchameni Nguemezi Severin
AU - Totel Hamen Katamssadan
AU - Chia Genevieve Kain
AU - Dikongue Ndondoni Jeannette Fabiola
AU - Mbouobda Hermann Desire
Y1 - 2026/10/29
PY - 2026
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11
DO - 10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11
T2 - Plant
JF - Plant
JO - Plant
SP - 72
EP - 83
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2331-0677
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11
AB - Cabbage plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Cameroon, contributing to both food security and household income. Nonetheless, its cultivation in the Santa area faces major setbacks due to fungal diseases that lead to substantial reductions in yield. To try to address these burdens, a comprehensive study was conducted involving a survey of 78 farmers to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and agricultural management practices. Concurrently, 160 symptomatic cabbage samples were collected from 10 different farms for diagnosis. Fungal pathogens were isolated from these samples and identified through morphological analysis, pathogenicity tests, and molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The survey indicated widespread use of chemical fungicides such as Balear and Pencozeb, yet highlighted a notable absence of proper protective gear among growers. A total of 96 fungal isolates were obtained, with 11 showing strong pathogenicity. Molecular results identified Fusarium species, primarily Fusarium oxysporum as the most common causal agents. Other harmful fungi detected included Curvularia coatesiae, Colletotrichum kahawae, and Epicoccum nigrum. Disease incidence was found to be especially severe during the dry season. These results underscore the necessity for integrated disease control approaches, enhanced training for farmers on safe pesticide application, and ongoing monitoring of pathogens to support sustainable cabbage production in the region.
VL - 14
IS - 4
ER -

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Author Information

Boubga Clifford

Department of Biochemistry, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-0957-6944
Tchameni Nguemezi Severin

Department of Biochemistry, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2818-9530
Totel Hamen Katamssadan

Department of Biochemistry, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon;Department of Phytosanitary Protection, University of Bertoua, Belabo, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1791-3888
Chia Genevieve Kain

Department of Plant Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
Dikongue Ndondoni Jeannette Fabiola

Department of Biochemistry, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-2229-6563
Mbouobda Hermann Desire

Department of Biochemistry, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon;Department of Biology, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-3994-2348

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Clifford, B., Severin, T. N., Katamssadan, T. H., Kain, C. G., Fabiola, D. N. J., et al. (2026). Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization. Plant, 14(4), 72-83. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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Clifford, B.; Severin, T. N.; Katamssadan, T. H.; Kain, C. G.; Fabiola, D. N. J., et al. Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization. Plant. 2026, 14(4), 72-83. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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AMA Style

Clifford B, Severin TN, Katamssadan TH, Kain CG, Fabiola DNJ, et al. Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization. Plant. 2026;14(4):72-83. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11

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@article{10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11,
  author = {Boubga Clifford and Tchameni Nguemezi Severin and Totel Hamen Katamssadan and Chia Genevieve Kain and Dikongue Ndondoni Jeannette Fabiola and Mbouobda Hermann Desire},
  title = {Farmer Management Practices and Cabbage Fungal Pathogens in Santa, Cameroon: Assessment of Local Cultivation Habits and Disease Characterization},
  journal = {Plant},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {72-83},
  doi = {10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261404.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.plant.20261404.11},
  abstract = {Cabbage plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Cameroon, contributing to both food security and household income. Nonetheless, its cultivation in the Santa area faces major setbacks due to fungal diseases that lead to substantial reductions in yield. To try to address these burdens, a comprehensive study was conducted involving a survey of 78 farmers to assess their socio-demographic characteristics and agricultural management practices. Concurrently, 160 symptomatic cabbage samples were collected from 10 different farms for diagnosis. Fungal pathogens were isolated from these samples and identified through morphological analysis, pathogenicity tests, and molecular sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The survey indicated widespread use of chemical fungicides such as Balear and Pencozeb, yet highlighted a notable absence of proper protective gear among growers. A total of 96 fungal isolates were obtained, with 11 showing strong pathogenicity. Molecular results identified Fusarium species, primarily Fusarium oxysporum as the most common causal agents. Other harmful fungi detected included Curvularia coatesiae, Colletotrichum kahawae, and Epicoccum nigrum. Disease incidence was found to be especially severe during the dry season. These results underscore the necessity for integrated disease control approaches, enhanced training for farmers on safe pesticide application, and ongoing monitoring of pathogens to support sustainable cabbage production in the region.},
 year = {2026}
}

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