Growing Guava in Isiolo

Soil suitability analysis based on Isiolo's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Isiolo is poorly suited to Guava. Isiolo's soil (pH 7.83, alkaline) gives Guava a suitability score of 15/100. Match fertilizer to Isiolo's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Isiolo County is a challenging environment for Guava (soil-match score 15/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.83 the soil sits above Guava's preferred 5.5–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. 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. Guava prefers loam soils, while Isiolo is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Isiolo receives approximately 350 mm/year — well below Guava's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Guava is the #67 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Isiolo County. Guava's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Isiolo's 15/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,875 kg/acre (~KES 112,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Isiolo's soil: Sisal, Aloe Vera, and Green Grams — each scores higher on the same soil.

15Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorIsiolo soilGuava needsStatus
pH7.835.57.5Adjust
Nitrogen0.46 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus37.4 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium395 mg/kgmin 150 mg/kgOK
Rainfall350 mm700–1,800 mmLow
Altitude900 m0–1,800 mOK

Planting calendar for Isiolo

Long Rains· MarchMay

March
Transplanting & Basal
April
Pruning & Top Dressing
May
Fruit Development

Short Rains· OctoberDecemberMain season here

October
Transplanting & Basal
November
Pruning & Top Dressing
December
Fruit Development

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Twice per year at start of rains
Instruction
Ring-apply around the drip line. Add NPK at flowering.
Bags per acre in Isiolo
0.750.5

Isiolo's nitrogen (0.46 g/kg) is 57% of the 0.8 g/kg Guava needs, so the standard 0.5 bags/acre is raised to 0.75. Split it across two applications to limit leaching.

Economics

Market priceKES 60/kg
Expected yield in Isiolo1,875 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 112,500/acre
Adjusted for Isiolo's 15/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Guava can reach 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(5,700)
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