Growing Wambugu Apples in Bomet

Soil suitability analysis based on Bomet's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Bomet is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Bomet's soil (pH 6.02, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 94/100. Match fertilizer to Bomet's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Bomet County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 94/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.02 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.38 g/kg), phosphorus (23.6 mg/kg) and potassium (237 mg/kg) all meet Wambugu Apples's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.

94Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorBomet soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH6.0257OK
Nitrogen1.38 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus23.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium237 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,500 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m1,500–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag