Effect of Selected Agrochemicals on Protozoans and Algae Isolated from Mosquito Larval Habitats in Bamenda

Abstract

The present study establishes the in-vitro effect of some selected agrochemicals(Glycot, Lamida and Pencozeb) on protozoans and some algae isolated from mosquito larval habitats in Bamenda urban zone, Cameroon. A convenience sampling technique was used in which water samples were randomly collected from 125 mosquito larval habitats from Bamenda urban zone. Out of the 123 samples tested, 41(33.33%) samples were found to be positive. Dinoflagellates predorminated with a frequency of 20(16.26%). One genera of protozoa(chillodenella) pathogenic to mosquito larvae was seen. Hook worm, Faciola, Paramecium and Trichomonas were found to be of medical importance while Euglena, Diatoms and Dinoflagellates were found to be of agricultural importance. All the protozoans and algae tested were susceptible to Lamida and Penncozeb, but resistant to glycot at all concentrations tested. Conclusively, the susceptibility of Chillodenella spp to Lamida and Penncozeb suggest their interference with natural biological control for mosquito population and also distortion of the ecosystem.

Keywords: Agrochemicals, protozoans and algae , mosquito larval habitats