Growing Soybeans in Makueni
Soil suitability analysis based on Makueni's nutrient profile
Yes, with the right inputs — Makueni is moderately suited to Soybeans. Makueni's soil (pH 7.5, alkaline) gives Soybeans a suitability score of 65/100. Match fertilizer to Makueni's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Makueni County is a solid choice for Soybeans, with a soil-match score of 65/100. At an average pH of 7.5 the soil sits above Soybeans's preferred 5–7 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 Soybeans's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Soybeans, which favours loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Soybeans is the #56 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Makueni County. Soybeans's full potential is about 700 kg/acre (~KES 52,500/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Makueni's 65/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 569 kg/acre (~KES 42,675/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Makueni soil | Soybeans needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.5 | 5–7 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 0.86 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 29.6 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 351 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 600 mm | 600–2,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 1,000 m | 0–1,800 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Makueni's nitrogen reads 0.86 g/kg, but the rate stays at zero: Soybeans is not top-dressed, for the crop-specific reason above.
Recommended seed varieties
No variety in our list is specifically rated for Makueni's 1,000 m altitude and 600 mm rainfall, so all 2 are shown. Confirm with your agrovet before buying.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag