Growing African Nightshade in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Meru County is a solid choice for African Nightshade, with a soil-match score of 65/100. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below African Nightshade's preferred 5.5–7.5 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.22 g/kg), phosphorus (20.3 mg/kg) and potassium (218 mg/kg) all meet African Nightshade's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay 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.