Growing Dolichos in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Kilifi is poorly suited to Dolichos. Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 2/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kilifi County is a challenging environment for Dolichos (soil-match score 2/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.8 g/kg), phosphorus (11 mg/kg) and potassium (109 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Dolichos, which favours sandy loam. At 150 m, the county sits below Dolichos's preferred altitude range (1000–2100 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #81 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kilifi County. Dolichos's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Kilifi's 2/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 15 kg/acre (~KES 1,800/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Kilifi's soil: Sesame (Simsim), Sorghum, and Finger Millet — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 400–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 1,000–2,100 m | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag