Growing Dolichos in Kitui
Soil suitability analysis based on Kitui's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Kitui is moderately suited to Dolichos. Kitui's soil (pH 7.03, near-neutral) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 66/100. Match fertilizer to Kitui's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kitui County is a solid choice for Dolichos, with a soil-match score of 66/100. Local soils average pH 7.03 — neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.74 g/kg), phosphorus (30.5 mg/kg) and potassium (339 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. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #41 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kitui County. Dolichos's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Kitui's 66/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 495 kg/acre (~KES 59,400/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kitui soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.03 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.74 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 30.5 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 339 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 400–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 900 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