Growing Wambugu Apples in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Generally not ideal — Lamu is poorly suited to Wambugu Apples. Lamu's soil (pH 6.31, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Lamu's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Wambugu Apples (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. Wambugu Apples prefers loam soils, while Lamu is largely sandy, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. Lamu receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below Wambugu Apples's minimum of 1000 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Wambugu Apples's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Lamu's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

0Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorLamu soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH6.3157OK
Nitrogen0.74 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgLow
Phosphorus9.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium117 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall600 mm1,000–1,800 mmLow
Altitude10 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 Lamu0 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 0/acre
Adjusted for Lamu's 0/100 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