Growing Radish in Kwale

Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile

Kwale County is a challenging environment for Radish (soil-match score 14/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–7.5 band Radish prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Radish, which favours sandy loam. At 200 m, the county sits below Radish's preferred altitude range (500–2500 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. Radish's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 320,000/acre at KES 40/kg), but at Kwale's 14/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,400 kg/acre (~KES 56,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.