Assessing the incidence of common bean in Cameroon

In most parts of Cameroon particularly the Menoua Division, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is usually consumed immediately after harvest or after a few months of storage. Contamination of common bean by fungi usually occurs in the field and during storage. It is possible that the incidence of food contamination by fungi varies between field and storage. The study aimed at determining the incidence of common bean infection by fungi during harvest and during storage. Six common bean cultivars both during harvest and storage were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference (P ˃ 0.05) between their incidences of infection by fungi during harvest. The incidence of common bean infection during storage was shown to differ significantly between each cultivar (P ≤ 0.05). A comparison of the mean incidence level of infection by fungi in the two groups of bean cultivars (cultivars during harvest and cultivars during storage) using the independent t- test analysis revealed a significant difference between their mean incidence of infection. The findings conclude that the incidence of common bean infection by fungi during storage is higher than during harvest in the Menoua Division. These findings will help to sensitise farmers on the improvement of bean storage conditions.