Background The Orchidaceae are noted for their floral diversity. In the Mount Cameroon Region (MCR), the genus Bulbophyllum is the most represented genus of the entire flora of this region. Despite the large number of different species in Orchidaceae, very little is known and documented about the orchids in Cameroon at large, in the MCR in particular. Orchids are widely used in flower gardens and trade. The aim of this study was to assess the floristic value of the orchids compared with those of other parts of the world and equally assess species which are used in herbal medicines. Methods This research was carried out in the MCR and the main flower market in Cameroon. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to vendors, buyers, and cultivators at a ratio of 1:1:1, as well as to herbalists and cultural use indices computed. A total of 107 flower gardens in all gardening localities (07) of the region were sampled. Results A total of 66 out of 107 gardens had at least one orchid species. Five orchids which are hybrids cultivated by vegetative propagation are traded as ornamental plants in the MCR. A total of 23 species were used for herbal treatment of certain ailments. The ethnobotanical richness of orchids was scored at 6.86. Ansellia africana had the highest cultural importance index (CI), relative importance index (RI), and the relative use index (RNU) while tradactyle tridactylites had the lowest. It was also found that most orchids were used for clairvoyance that is highly associated with myths or folklore and also for external application. Conclusion The level of awareness on uses of orchids in the MCR is low. Many people consume orchids mixed with different species of plants for herbal treatment. Orchid trade is used as a part of subsistence by orchid cultivators and vendors.

Plantain is a major staple food crop for millions of people in Cameroon and contributes significantly to food security. A limiting factor to large-scale production of plantains is the difficulty in obtaining healthy planting materials. Macro-propagation technology, which has the potential to produce 50-60 shoots per sucker in 4-5 months, was introduced to bypass this difficulty. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the fungi growing in plantain propagators in Buea municipality, which could probably be responsible for the corm rot and blight symptoms observed. Fungi were isolated from the corm, root, pseudostem, leaves and from fruiting bodies on Potato dextrose agar. Isolates were characterized using cultural, micro-morphological and molecular techniques. A total of 5 isolates were obtained, most of which were whitish in colour and all had septate hyphae, belonging to the Ascomycota. The molecular weight of the DNA of the isolates ranged between 500-800 bp. Based on sequence similarity, these isolates were identified to belong to five species viz: Alternaria burnsii, Fusarium oxysporum, Chaetomium globosum, Hypocrea lixii and Trichoderma harzianum. Of these five isolates, F. oxysporum was the only one that had been reported to be the causal agent of Fusarium wilt (Panama) disease of plantain. Fusarium and Chaetomium are likely responsible for the diseased symptoms observed. Proper management and control of these fungal species in propagators will permit the production of healthy seedlings, thus enabling large scale production of plantains.

Indiscriminate use of fertilizers by vegetable growers and poor water quality of irrigational water characterize vegetable production in most parts of Cameroon. The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soil, cabbage and carrot cultivated in Santa, North West Region, Cameroon were assessed to determine potential ecological and human health risk associated with the consumption of these two vegetables. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using a ContrAA 300 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer after microwave digestion. The concentrations of As (0.51 mg/kg and 0.38 mg/kg), Co (1.41 mg/kg and 1.39 mg/kg) and Pb (1.36 mg/kg and 1.31 mg/ kg) in the cabbage and carrot, respectively, were above the WHO/FAO, permissible limits for human consumption. Health risk index values for Co in cabbage (2.31 mg/kg) and carrot (2.26 mg/kg) indicated significant risks from Co exposure. Geo-accumulation Index indicated that soils from most sites were contaminated. The populations consuming these vegetables are at risk of As, Co and Pb toxicity. Monitoring and sensitization of farmers on the effects of indiscriminate use of agrochemicals is very necessary to protect the health of consumers and preserve the soil quality.

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