Growing French Beans in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for French Beans (soil-match score 33/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above French Beans's preferred 5.8–7 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. Nitrogen (0.86 g/kg), phosphorus (29.6 mg/kg) and potassium (351 mg/kg) all meet French Beans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit French Beans, which favours loam. Makueni receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below French Beans's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, French Beans is the #78 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Makueni County. French Beans's full potential is about 3,500 kg/acre (~KES 280,000/acre at KES 80/kg), but at Makueni's 33/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 1,444 kg/acre (~KES 115,520/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.

Better matched to Makueni's soil: Lucerne, Mango, and Sisal — each scores higher on the same soil.