Growing Wambugu Apples in Kirinyaga

Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Kirinyaga is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Kirinyaga's soil (pH 5.31, strongly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 84/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Kirinyaga County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 84/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.31 — 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 1.36 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 177 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Wambugu Apples prefers loam soils, while Kirinyaga is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.

84Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKirinyaga soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH5.3157OK
Nitrogen1.36 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium177 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,300 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m1,500–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
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