Growing Lemon in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Meru County is a solid choice for Lemon, with a soil-match score of 60/100. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Lemon's preferred 6–7.5 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 Lemon's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lemon, which favours loam. Lemon's full potential is about 10,000 kg/acre (~KES 500,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Meru's 60/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 7,500 kg/acre (~KES 375,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.