Growing Wambugu Apples in Kirinyaga

Soil suitability analysis based on Kirinyaga's nutrient profile

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 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.

84Suitability score

Soil match analysis

NutrientKirinyaga 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

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Split biannually at rains
Instruction
Apply compost and CAN at pruning. Add soluble P at leaf flush.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 30-50 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield2,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 150,000/acre

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 2,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,500(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 2,500(5,600)
Urea
KES 2,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag