Researchers at Applied Horticultural Research (AHR) have been investigating the causes of brown etch on butternut pumpkins. Dr Jenny Ekman and Dr Len Tesoriero will explain how you can predict when brown etch is likely to occur in a crop, and what you can do to control it. They also discuss the new fact sheet that is a must have guide for all pumpkin growers.

Development of brown etch means butternuts may be left to rot, fed to pigs or sent to landfill. But those blotches and blemishes are only skin deep – the pumpkin’s bright orange flesh is still perfect for soups, pies, cakes, curries and the Sunday roast.