Growing Wambugu Apples in Kisumu

Soil suitability analysis based on Kisumu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Possible but challenging — Kisumu is only marginally suited to Wambugu Apples. Kisumu's soil (pH 5.54, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 51/100. Match fertilizer to Kisumu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Wambugu Apples can be grown in Kisumu County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.54 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.91 g/kg, P 12.5 mg/kg, K 166 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 Kisumu is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Wambugu Apples's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Kisumu's 51/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 2,550 kg/acre (~KES 191,250/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

51Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorKisumu soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH5.5457OK
Nitrogen0.91 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.5 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium166 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,150 m1,500–2,500 mLow

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 in Kisumu2,550 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 191,250/acre
Adjusted for Kisumu's 51/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Wambugu Apples can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/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(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