Growing Sorghum in Kericho

Soil suitability analysis based on Kericho's nutrient profile

Kericho County is a challenging environment for Sorghum (soil-match score 36/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 5.94 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.34 g/kg), phosphorus (23.7 mg/kg) and potassium (225 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay soils suit Sorghum, which favours clay. Sorghum's full potential is about 1,200 kg/acre (~KES 81,600/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Kericho's 36/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 540 kg/acre (~KES 36,720/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.