Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Elena BARCANU, Ovidia Loredana AGAPIE, Ion GHERASE, Eliza TEODORESCU
Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter gourd or bitter lemon, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is a versatile herb cultivated in various tropical and subtropical regions. Despite its distinctive appearance and bitter taste, it stands out as one of the most nutritious gourds. Numerous studies have highlighted its antimicrobial properties against soilborne pathogens and inhibitory effects on human pathogens. Additionally, the plant contains compounds known to repel insect pests. In Romania, M. charantia has been successfully acclimatized at the Vegetable Research and Development Station in Buzău, leading to the development of two cultivars: Rodeo and Brâncuși. Over a span of fifteen years, this plant has demonstrated resilience, remaining free from diseases and pests that could compromise its yield. However, during the vegetation period of 2023, a notable exception occurred as researchers identified an infestation of Helicoverpa armigera in the fruit crop. Intriguingly, this pest has not been previously reported in association with bitter gourd worldwide. The existing literature does contain studies on the inhibitory effects of M. charantia compounds against H. armigera, but this case study demands further investigation.
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