Growing Wambugu Apples in Embu
Soil suitability analysis based on Embu's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Embu is moderately suited to Wambugu Apples. Embu's soil (pH 5.1, strongly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 69/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.
Embu County is a solid choice for Wambugu Apples, with a soil-match score of 69/100. Local soils average pH 5.1 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.04 g/kg, P 12.6 mg/kg, K 194 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Wambugu Apples is the #24 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Embu County. Wambugu Apples's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Embu's 69/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 3,450 kg/acre (~KES 258,750/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Embu soil | Wambugu Apples needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.1 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 1.04 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 194 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 1,300 mm | 1,000–1,800 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,400 m | 1,500–2,500 m | Low |
Top dressing guide
Embu's nitrogen (1.04 g/kg) already meets Wambugu Apples's 0.8 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Seed varieties for Embu
Varieties suited to Embu's 1,400 m altitude and 1,300 mm annual rainfall — 1 of 1 wambugu apples varieties we list.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag