Crop Guide – Butternut
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ALWAYS READ THE LABEL BEFORE USING ANY CHEMICAL
Butternuts are frost-sensitive and grow best under warm conditions. Plants have a deep root system with some roots growing down to a meter. Male and female flowers are separate, males being borne on long stalks, females being borne on shorter stalks much closer to the stem. Pollination, usually by bees is important for normal fruit development.
Ideal soil temperature for germination: 20 – 25°C (minimum 16°C) and ideal temperature for growth: 18 – 24°C
An ideal pH of around 6 and best results are obtained with well-drained soils. Low salt level and high organic matter content are preferred.
Soil should be thoroughly prepared and deeply loosened before planting. Any residue from previous crops should be well-rotted. The use of raised beds should be considered if high rainfall that could lead to waterlogging.
Butternuts are normally direct sown and planted 2,5 to 3cms deep. Plants should be 30 to 40cms apart in rows that are 120 cms apart. This is between 20,000 to 30,000 plants per ha.
Butternuts are a warm weather vegetable; thus planting occurs from early spring to mid-summer. In Zimbabwe planting starts in August where temperatures have started to increase after the winter. In areas where there is a risk of frost planting will only take place in September.
Growth period is generally 12 to 15 weeks from planting of seed to the first butternuts ready to harvest.
Fertilizer Program
| Growth Stage | KynoPop | 10.24.20 | A.N | M.A.P Tech | Pot Nitrate | Foliar Leaf Sprays | N | P₂O₅ | K₂O | S | B | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veggie Starter | Veggie Grow | |||||||||||
| At Planting | 7kgs | 400kgs | 120kgs | 80 | 96 | 80 | 24 | 0.56 | ||||
| Week 2 | 3kgs | |||||||||||
| Week 3 | 3kgs | |||||||||||
| Week 4 | 50kgs | 100kgs | 3kgs | 19 | 15 | 46 | ||||||
| Week 5 | 3kgs | |||||||||||
| Week 6 | 80kgs | 50kgs | 3kgs | 33 | 15 | |||||||
| Week 7 | ||||||||||||
| Week 8 | 50kgs | 100kgs | 3kgs | 19 | 15 | 46 | ||||||
| Week 9 | 3kgs | |||||||||||
| Week 10 | 3kgs | |||||||||||
| TOTAL | 7KGS | 400KGS | 200KGS | 150KGS | 200KGS | 151 | 141 | 172 | 24 | 0.56 | ||
At Planting
KynoPop: 7kgs
10.24.20: 400kgs
A.N: 120kgs
N: 80P₂O₅: 96K₂O: 80S: 24B: 0.56
Week 2
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
Week 3
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
Week 4
A.N: 50kgs
M.A.P Tech: 100kgs
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
N: 19P₂O₅: 15K₂O: 46
Week 5
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
Week 6
10.24.20: 80kgs
A.N: 50kgs
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
N: 33P₂O₅: 15
Week 7
Week 8
A.N: 50kgs
M.A.P Tech: 100kgs
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
N: 19P₂O₅: 15K₂O: 46
Week 9
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
Week 10
Veggie Starter: 3kgs
TOTAL
KynoPop: 7KGS
10.24.20: 400KGS
A.N: 200KGS
M.A.P Tech: 150KGS
Pot Nitrate: 200KGS
N: 151P₂O₅: 141K₂O: 172S: 24B: 0.56
Butternut has a deep root system and 25mm irrigation per week is required during the growing season. Sufficient water in the root zone is essential for good flowering and fruit set.
Chemical Spray Program
| Crop/Growth Stage | Target Pest/Disease | Product for Control | Active Ingredient | Per 20L | Per Ha | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transplanting | Cutworms | Karate Zeon | Lambdacyhalothrin | 20mls | 200mls/ha | Application timing is immediately after transplanting |
| Plesiva Star 60WG | Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine | 27g | 270g/ha | Apply as a soil application | ||
| Soil Pests | Confidor 70WG | Imidacloprid | 30g | 280g/ha | Apply as a soil application | |
| Vegetative Stage | Early Blight | Mancozeb | Mancozeb | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart |
| Copper Hydroxide | Copper Hydroxide | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | ||
| Ridomyl Gold | Metalaxyl + Mancozeb | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | When weather conditions favour the disease. Not more than 6 sprays | ||
| Azoxy Duo | Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole | 50mls | 500mls/ha | Should be applied per crop cycle | ||
| Aphids, thrips & caterpillars | Karate Zeon | Lambdacyhalothrin | 50mls | 500mls/ha | Pests transmit mosaic virus and Karate Zeon has a quick knockdown effect on these pests | |
| Decis Forte | Deltamethrin | 10-15mls | 300mls/ha | Decis Forte is a synthetic pyrethroid with contact and stomach action which controls a wide range of insects | ||
| Thunder 145OD | beta-cyfluthrin + Imidacloprid | 30mls | 330mls/ha | Thunder has excellent systemic properties and a significant residual activity. Imidacloprid has a broad spectrum of activity, particularly against sucking insects such as aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, leaf miners and white flies | ||
| Sivanto Prime | Flupyradifurone | 40mls | 400mls/ha | Sivanto Prime is a new insecticide from Bayer for the control of a range of sucking insect pests and has an outstanding safety profile. | ||
| Vayego 200SC | Tetraniliprole | 5mls | 50mls | Vayego is a powerful, innovative insecticide that provides quick antifeedant and residual activity on all life stages from egg to adult | ||
| Plesiva Star 60WG | Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine | 27g | 270g/ha | Apply as a soil application | ||
| Magmectin Ultra Duo | Emmamectin Benzoate + Acetamiprid | 20mls | 250mls/ha | A broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide for the control of mainly Spidermites, Lepidoptera pests, Thrips, Aphids and Leafminers in Butternuts | ||
| Whitefly, thrips & aphids | Abamiprid | Abamectin + Acetamiprid | 15mls | 200mls/ha | Abamiprid is a combination of acetamiprid and abamectin. It has larvicidal and ovicidal activity. | |
| Magmectin Ultra Duo | Emmamectin Benzoate + Acetamiprid | 20mls | 250mls/ha | A broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide for the control of mainly Spidermites, Lepidoptera pests, Thrips, Aphids and Leafminers in Butternuts | ||
| Plesiva Star 60WG | Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine | 27g | 270g/ha | Apply as a soil application | ||
| Ampligo 150ZC | Chlorantraniliprole | 40mls | 400mls/ha | Application timing and frequency should be based on economic thresholds. Apply as required by scouting. To control boring species, time applications before they bore into the fruits or stems. | ||
| Sivanto Prime | Flupyradifurone | 40mls | 400mls/ha | Sivanto Prime is a new insecticide from Bayer for the control of a range of sucking insect pests and has an outstanding safety profile. | ||
| Vayego 200SC | Tetraniliprole | 5mls | 50mls | Vayego is a powerful, innovative insecticide that provides quick antifeedant and residual activity on all life stages from egg to adult | ||
| Powdery Mildew | Azoxy Duo | Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole | 50mls | 500mls/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | |
| Folicur 250EW | Tebuconazole | 30mls | 375mls/ha | Apply at the first signs of infection and repeat every 7-10 days. Apply as a full cover spray in minimum 500L water per ha and relatively more on larger plants. | ||
| Cuperdem | Copper | 300mls | 3lts/ha | Apply as a full cover spray on first signs of infection. Can also be applied at planting for early protection. | ||
| Phytophtera Crown & Fruit Rot | Ridomyl Gold | Metalaxyl + Mancozeb | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | The disease is soil borne, sprays with Ridomyl Gold; a highly systemic fungicide with protective and curative attributes which effectively controls the disease | |
| Flowering Stage | Late Blight | Azoxy Duo | Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole | 50mls | 500mls/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart |
| Cuperdem | Copper | 300mls | 3lts/ha | Apply as a full cover spray on first signs of infection. Can also be applied at planting for early protection. | ||
| Ridomyl Gold | Metalaxyl + Mancozeb | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | The disease is soil borne, sprays with Ridomyl Gold; a highly systemic fungicide with protective and curative attributes which effectively controls the disease | ||
| Cabrio Duo | Pyraclostrobin + Dimethomorph | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | ||
| Thrips & Red Spider | Abamiprid | Abamectin + Acetamiprid | 15mls | 200mls/ha | Abamiprid is a combination of acetamiprid and abamectin. It has larvicidal and ovicidal activity. | |
| Fruit Expansion Stage | Late Blight | Azoxy Duo | Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole | 50mls | 500mls/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart |
| Cuperdem | Copper | 300mls | 3lts/ha | Apply as a full cover spray on first signs of infection. Can also be applied at planting for early protection. | ||
| Melody Duo | Iprovalicarb + Propineb | 2.5kgs | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | |||
| Infinto WG | Propamocarb Hydrochloride + Fluopicolide | 1.2kgs | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | |||
| Ridomyl Gold | Metalaxyl + Mancozeb | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | The disease is soil borne, sprays with Ridomyl Gold; a highly systemic fungicide with protective and curative attributes which effectively controls the disease | ||
| Cabrio Duo | Pyraclostrobin + Dimethomorph | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | ||
| Bacterial Infections | Copper Hydroxide | Copper Hydroxide | 50g | 2.5kgs/ha | Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart | |
| Kasugamycin 4SL | Kasugamycin | 120mls | 1.2lts/ha | Apply maximum of 3 sprays. | ||
| Ripening | Red Spider | Abamiprid | Abamectin + Acetamiprid | 15mls | 200mls/ha | Abamiprid is a combination of acetamiprid and abamectin. It has larvicidal and ovicidal activity. |
| Whitefly, thrips, aphids & American Bollworm | Abamiprid | Abamectin + Acetamiprid | 15mls | 200mls/ha | ||
| Magmectin Ultra Duo | Emmamectin Benzoate + Acetamiprid | 20mls | 250mls/ha | A broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide for the control of mainly Spidermites, Lepidoptera pests, Thrips, Aphids and Leafminers in Butternuts | ||
| Plesiva Star 60WG | Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine | 27g | 270g/ha | Apply as a soil application | ||
| Ampligo 150ZC | Chlorantraniliprole | 40mls | 400mls/ha | Application timing and frequency should be based on economic thresholds. Apply as required by scouting. To control boring species, time applications before they bore into the fruits or stems. | ||
| Sivanto Prime | Flupyradifurone | 40mls | 400mls/ha | Sivanto Prime is a new insecticide from Bayer for the control of a range of sucking insect pests and has an outstanding safety profile. | ||
| Vayego 200SC | Tetraniliprole | 5mls | 50mls | Vayego is a powerful, innovative insecticide that provides quick antifeedant and residual activity on all life stages from egg to adult |
Transplanting
Pest/Disease: Cutworms
Product: Karate Zeon
Active: Lambdacyhalothrin
Per 20L: 20mls | Per Ha: 200mls/ha
Remarks: Application timing is immediately after transplanting
Pest/Disease:
Product: Plesiva Star 60WG
Active: Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine
Per 20L: 27g | Per Ha: 270g/ha
Remarks: Apply as a soil application
Pest/Disease: Soil Pests
Product: Confidor 70WG
Active: Imidacloprid
Per 20L: 30g | Per Ha: 280g/ha
Remarks: Apply as a soil application
Vegetative Stage
Pest/Disease: Early Blight
Product: Mancozeb
Active: Mancozeb
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Copper Hydroxide
Active: Copper Hydroxide
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Ridomyl Gold
Active: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: When weather conditions favour the disease. Not more than 6 sprays
Pest/Disease:
Product: Azoxy Duo
Active: Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole
Per 20L: 50mls | Per Ha: 500mls/ha
Remarks: Should be applied per crop cycle
Pest/Disease: Aphids, thrips & caterpillars
Product: Karate Zeon
Active: Lambdacyhalothrin
Per 20L: 50mls | Per Ha: 500mls/ha
Remarks: Pests transmit mosaic virus and Karate Zeon has a quick knockdown effect on these pests
Pest/Disease:
Product: Decis Forte
Active: Deltamethrin
Per 20L: 10-15mls | Per Ha: 300mls/ha
Remarks: Decis Forte is a synthetic pyrethroid with contact and stomach action which controls a wide range of insects
Pest/Disease:
Product: Thunder 145OD
Active: beta-cyfluthrin + Imidacloprid
Per 20L: 30mls | Per Ha: 330mls/ha
Remarks: Thunder has excellent systemic properties and a significant residual activity. Imidacloprid has a broad spectrum of activity, particularly against sucking insects such as aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, leaf miners and white flies
Pest/Disease:
Product: Sivanto Prime
Active: Flupyradifurone
Per 20L: 40mls | Per Ha: 400mls/ha
Remarks: Sivanto Prime is a new insecticide from Bayer for the control of a range of sucking insect pests and has an outstanding safety profile.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Vayego 200SC
Active: Tetraniliprole
Per 20L: 5mls | Per Ha: 50mls
Remarks: Vayego is a powerful, innovative insecticide that provides quick antifeedant and residual activity on all life stages from egg to adult
Pest/Disease:
Product: Plesiva Star 60WG
Active: Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine
Per 20L: 27g | Per Ha: 270g/ha
Remarks: Apply as a soil application
Pest/Disease:
Product: Magmectin Ultra Duo
Active: Emmamectin Benzoate + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 20mls | Per Ha: 250mls/ha
Remarks: A broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide for the control of mainly Spidermites, Lepidoptera pests, Thrips, Aphids and Leafminers in Butternuts
Pest/Disease: Whitefly, thrips & aphids
Product: Abamiprid
Active: Abamectin + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 15mls | Per Ha: 200mls/ha
Remarks: Abamiprid is a combination of acetamiprid and abamectin. It has larvicidal and ovicidal activity.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Magmectin Ultra Duo
Active: Emmamectin Benzoate + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 20mls | Per Ha: 250mls/ha
Remarks: A broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide for the control of mainly Spidermites, Lepidoptera pests, Thrips, Aphids and Leafminers in Butternuts
Pest/Disease:
Product: Plesiva Star 60WG
Active: Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine
Per 20L: 27g | Per Ha: 270g/ha
Remarks: Apply as a soil application
Pest/Disease:
Product: Ampligo 150ZC
Active: Chlorantraniliprole
Per 20L: 40mls | Per Ha: 400mls/ha
Remarks: Application timing and frequency should be based on economic thresholds. Apply as required by scouting. To control boring species, time applications before they bore into the fruits or stems.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Sivanto Prime
Active: Flupyradifurone
Per 20L: 40mls | Per Ha: 400mls/ha
Remarks: Sivanto Prime is a new insecticide from Bayer for the control of a range of sucking insect pests and has an outstanding safety profile.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Vayego 200SC
Active: Tetraniliprole
Per 20L: 5mls | Per Ha: 50mls
Remarks: Vayego is a powerful, innovative insecticide that provides quick antifeedant and residual activity on all life stages from egg to adult
Pest/Disease: Powdery Mildew
Product: Azoxy Duo
Active: Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole
Per 20L: 50mls | Per Ha: 500mls/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Folicur 250EW
Active: Tebuconazole
Per 20L: 30mls | Per Ha: 375mls/ha
Remarks: Apply at the first signs of infection and repeat every 7-10 days. Apply as a full cover spray in minimum 500L water per ha and relatively more on larger plants.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Cuperdem
Active: Copper
Per 20L: 300mls | Per Ha: 3lts/ha
Remarks: Apply as a full cover spray on first signs of infection. Can also be applied at planting for early protection.
Pest/Disease: Phytophtera Crown & Fruit Rot
Product: Ridomyl Gold
Active: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: The disease is soil borne, sprays with Ridomyl Gold; a highly systemic fungicide with protective and curative attributes which effectively controls the disease
Flowering Stage
Pest/Disease: Late Blight
Product: Azoxy Duo
Active: Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole
Per 20L: 50mls | Per Ha: 500mls/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Cuperdem
Active: Copper
Per 20L: 300mls | Per Ha: 3lts/ha
Remarks: Apply as a full cover spray on first signs of infection. Can also be applied at planting for early protection.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Ridomyl Gold
Active: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: The disease is soil borne, sprays with Ridomyl Gold; a highly systemic fungicide with protective and curative attributes which effectively controls the disease
Pest/Disease:
Product: Cabrio Duo
Active: Pyraclostrobin + Dimethomorph
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease: Thrips & Red Spider
Product: Abamiprid
Active: Abamectin + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 15mls | Per Ha: 200mls/ha
Remarks: Abamiprid is a combination of acetamiprid and abamectin. It has larvicidal and ovicidal activity.
Fruit Expansion Stage
Pest/Disease: Late Blight
Product: Azoxy Duo
Active: Azoxystrobin + Difenaconazole
Per 20L: 50mls | Per Ha: 500mls/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Cuperdem
Active: Copper
Per 20L: 300mls | Per Ha: 3lts/ha
Remarks: Apply as a full cover spray on first signs of infection. Can also be applied at planting for early protection.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Melody Duo
Active: Iprovalicarb + Propineb
Per 20L: | Per Ha: 2.5kgs
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Infinto WG
Active: Propamocarb Hydrochloride + Fluopicolide
Per 20L: | Per Ha: 1.2kgs
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Ridomyl Gold
Active: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: The disease is soil borne, sprays with Ridomyl Gold; a highly systemic fungicide with protective and curative attributes which effectively controls the disease
Pest/Disease:
Product: Cabrio Duo
Active: Pyraclostrobin + Dimethomorph
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: Start applications preventatively before disease symptoms appear. Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease: Bacterial Infections
Product: Copper Hydroxide
Active: Copper Hydroxide
Per 20L: 50g | Per Ha: 2.5kgs/ha
Remarks: Apply in blocks of 2 consecutive sprays 7-10 days apart
Pest/Disease:
Product: Kasugamycin 4SL
Active: Kasugamycin
Per 20L: 120mls | Per Ha: 1.2lts/ha
Remarks: Apply maximum of 3 sprays.
Ripening
Pest/Disease: Red Spider
Product: Abamiprid
Active: Abamectin + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 15mls | Per Ha: 200mls/ha
Remarks: Abamiprid is a combination of acetamiprid and abamectin. It has larvicidal and ovicidal activity.
Pest/Disease: Whitefly, thrips, aphids & American Bollworm
Product: Abamiprid
Active: Abamectin + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 15mls | Per Ha: 200mls/ha
Remarks:
Pest/Disease:
Product: Magmectin Ultra Duo
Active: Emmamectin Benzoate + Acetamiprid
Per 20L: 20mls | Per Ha: 250mls/ha
Remarks: A broad spectrum acaricide and insecticide for the control of mainly Spidermites, Lepidoptera pests, Thrips, Aphids and Leafminers in Butternuts
Pest/Disease:
Product: Plesiva Star 60WG
Active: Cyantraniliprole + Pymetrozine
Per 20L: 27g | Per Ha: 270g/ha
Remarks: Apply as a soil application
Pest/Disease:
Product: Ampligo 150ZC
Active: Chlorantraniliprole
Per 20L: 40mls | Per Ha: 400mls/ha
Remarks: Application timing and frequency should be based on economic thresholds. Apply as required by scouting. To control boring species, time applications before they bore into the fruits or stems.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Sivanto Prime
Active: Flupyradifurone
Per 20L: 40mls | Per Ha: 400mls/ha
Remarks: Sivanto Prime is a new insecticide from Bayer for the control of a range of sucking insect pests and has an outstanding safety profile.
Pest/Disease:
Product: Vayego 200SC
Active: Tetraniliprole
Per 20L: 5mls | Per Ha: 50mls
Remarks: Vayego is a powerful, innovative insecticide that provides quick antifeedant and residual activity on all life stages from egg to adult