portletUnit does not seem to handle encoded parameters correctly.
If one uses HttpUnit to build a request, httpunit encodes the parameters automatically. For example "foo bar" becomes "foo+bar".
When you use PortletReuqest.getParameter(..) in your portlet you get "foo+bar" instead of the expected "foo bar" value.
The API says that the parameter should NOT be encoded
http://www.bluesunrise.com/portlet-api/javax/portlet/PortletRequest.html#getParameter\(java.lang.String)
Not sure where the fix should be applied. PortletUnitPortletRequest.java would seem to be the most obvious place, but perhaps there is a better location.