Growing Dolichos in Mombasa
Soil suitability analysis based on Mombasa's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Mombasa is poorly suited to Dolichos. Mombasa's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Dolichos a suitability score of 0/100. Match fertilizer to Mombasa's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Mombasa County is a challenging environment for Dolichos (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7.5 band Dolichos prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (0.95 g/kg), phosphorus (8.4 mg/kg) and potassium (136 mg/kg) all meet Dolichos's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Dolichos, which favours sandy loam. At 50 m, the county sits below Dolichos's preferred altitude range (1000–2100 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Dolichos is the #86 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Mombasa County. Dolichos's full potential is about 600 kg/acre (~KES 72,000/acre at KES 120/kg), but at Mombasa's 0/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 0 kg/acre (~KES 0/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Better matched to Mombasa's soil: Finger Millet, Cashew Nuts, and Napier Grass — each scores higher on the same soil.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Mombasa soil | Dolichos needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 5–7.5 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.95 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 8.4 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 136 mg/kg | min 100 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 1,000 mm | 400–1,000 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 50 m | 1,000–2,100 m | Low |
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Dry Season
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag