Growing Cotton in Isiolo

Soil suitability analysis based on Isiolo's nutrient profile

Isiolo County is a challenging environment for Cotton (soil-match score 42/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.83 — alkaline and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.46 g/kg, P 37.4 mg/kg, K 395 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Cotton prefers clay soils, while Isiolo is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Isiolo's 42/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 473 kg/acre (~KES 32,164/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.