Growing Dolichos in Embu
Soil suitability analysis based on Embu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Embu is moderately suited to Dolichos. Embu's soil (pH 5.1, strongly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 64/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Embu County is a solid choice for Dolichos, with a soil-match score of 64/100. Local soils average pH 5.1 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.04 g/kg), phosphorus (12.6 mg/kg) and potassium (194 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Dolichos prefers sandy loam soils, while Embu is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #42 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Embu County. Dolichos's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Embu's 64/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 480 kg/acre (~KES 57,600/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Embu soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.1 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.6 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 194 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,300 mm | 400–1,000 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,400 m | 1,000–2,100 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Embu
Long Rains· March–MayMain season here
Short Rains· October–December
Dry Season· January–March
Top dressing guide
Embu's nitrogen reads 1.04 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Dolichos is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Seed varieties for Embu
Varieties suited to Embu's 1,400 m altitude and 1,300 mm annual rainfall — 6 of 6 dolichos varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag