Growing Sorghum in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Bomet County is a challenging environment for Sorghum (soil-match score 40/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sorghum, which favours clay. Sorghum's full potential is about 1,200 kg/acre (~KES 81,600/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Bomet's 40/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 600 kg/acre (~KES 40,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.