Growing African Nightshade in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for African Nightshade (soil-match score 40/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–7.5 band African Nightshade prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.86 g/kg, P 29.6 mg/kg, K 351 mg/kg against this crop's high/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit African Nightshade, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 50/kg) and a typical 3,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed African Nightshade crop here can gross roughly KES 175,000 per acre.