Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXVII, Issue 1
Written by Minodora GUTUE, Ionela DOBRIN, Emilia CIOCHINA, Vasilica LUCHIAN
Nezara viridula L. is a cosmopolitan, invasive species with a highly polyphagous. Some host plants are used as a food source and others for reproduction and food. The species attacks all aerial parts of herbaceous plants, but also the green leaves, the growth tips and the harvest of fruit trees and bushes. They are recorded considerable damages at the fruiting stage. This paper presents the attack of Nezara viridula L. species on several host plants (tomato, pepper, broccoli, peach, raspberry, rose, mallow, artichoke) by assessing the anatomical, morphological and organoleptic changes. Through optical microscopy studies, some changes are highlighted in the pericarp, mesocarp and vacuolar juice of affected pepper fruits, compared to healthy ones. The analyzed fruits show significant defects in shape, color, smell and taste which are confirmed by optical microscopy studies. That means these fruits are unsuitable for consumption, marketing and storage.
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