Growing Dolichos in Bungoma
Soil suitability analysis based on Bungoma's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Bungoma is moderately suited to Dolichos. Bungoma's soil (pH 5.56, slightly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 69/100. Match fertilizer to Bungoma's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Bungoma County is a solid choice for Dolichos, with a soil-match score of 69/100. Local soils average pH 5.56 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.12 g/kg), phosphorus (15.7 mg/kg) and potassium (161 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dolichos prefers sandy loam soils, while Bungoma is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #56 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Bungoma County. Dolichos's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Bungoma's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 518 kg/acre (~KES 62,160/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Bungoma soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.56 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.12 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 15.7 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 161 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,400 mm | 400–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,500 m | 1,000–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Bungoma
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· August–October
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Bungoma's nitrogen reads 1.12 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Dolichos is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Bungoma
Varieties suited to Bungoma's 1,500 m altitude and 1,400 mm annual rainfall — 6 of 6 dolichos varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag