Growing Passion Fruit in Makueni

Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile

Makueni County is a challenging environment for Passion Fruit (soil-match score 22/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 7.5 — alkaline and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Passion Fruit 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/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Passion Fruit, which favours loam. Makueni receives approximately 600 mm/year — well below Passion Fruit's minimum of 900 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. At current prices (about KES 70/kg) and a typical 4,500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Passion Fruit crop here can gross roughly KES 315,000 per acre.