Growing Wambugu Apples in Meru

Soil suitability analysis based on Meru's nutrient profile

Meru County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 76/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 4.88 the soil is strongly acidic, below Wambugu Apples's preferred 5–7 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 Wambugu Apples's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 2,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 150,000 per acre.