Growing Sweet Orange in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Sweet Orange can be grown in Meru County, but the soil scores 55/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Sweet Orange'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 Sweet Orange's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sweet Orange, which favours loam. Sweet Orange's full potential is about 12,000 kg/acre (~KES 600,000/acre at KES 50/kg), but at Meru's 55/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 8,250 kg/acre (~KES 412,500/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.