Agrochemicals use on carrot (Daucus carota) cultivation and its phytochemicals content at Kedjom-Ketinguh, North-West, Cameroon

Abstract

Nationwide surveys conducted on pesticide application in Cameroon raised growing concern of the exposure of applicators. The aim of this study was to investigate the agricultural practices in carrot cultivation, phytochemical composition of carrot and the various exposures of farmers associated with the use of agrochemicals in the cultivation of carrot in Kedjom-Ketinguh, Tubah Sub-Division (North-West Region, Cameroon). A questionnaire was randomly administered to 100 carrot cultivation farmers for a period of twelve months. Laboratory analysis was done to determine the content of carrot with flavonoids, total carbohydrates and phenolic acid using spectrophotometric technics. The results obtained indicate that: 95% of the farmers use chemical fertilizers and organic manure (cow dung and fowls drops); 34% of farmers use fungicide such as pencozeb, mancozeb and plantineb, which are bought in local market or from individuals and stored in rooms in the house; the planting is done in March at 50%, some minor health hazards associated with the use of agrochemicals were observed; the concentration of carbohydrates, flavonoids and phenols varies from the control to treated samples. The carrot produced in Kedjom-Ketinguh may be considered safe for consumption looking at the pesticide use and the quality is improved with the use of organic fertilizers.