Growing Wambugu Apples in Murang'a

Soil suitability analysis based on Murang'a's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Murang'a is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Murang'a's soil (pH 5.03, strongly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 77/100. Apply agricultural lime before planting to unlock phosphorus and lift the score.

Murang'a County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 77/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.03 — moderately acidic and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 1.2 g/kg, P 12.2 mg/kg, K 168 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. Wambugu Apples prefers loam soils, while Murang'a is largely clay, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 75/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Wambugu Apples crop here can gross roughly KES 300,000 per acre.

77Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorMurang'a soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH5.0357OK
Nitrogen1.2 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus12.2 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium168 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,200 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,500 m1,500–2,500 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual
Instruction
Apply at start of long and short rains. Young trees need half the rate of mature trees.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

WambuguMedium/Highland
KALRO · 730-1000 days · 2.7–4.5 tons/acre
Kenya-adapted apple; does not require chilling; good local market.

Economics

Market priceKES 75/kg
Expected yield in Murang'a3,850 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 288,750/acre
Adjusted for Murang'a's 77/100 suitability. Under ideal conditions Wambugu Apples can reach 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre) — attainable here only after the climate and soil constraints below are addressed.

Preferred textureLoam

Fertilizer prices

DAP
KES 3,500(6,500)
CAN
KES 2,875(4,500)
NPK 17:17:17
KES 3,275(5,600)
Urea
KES 3,500(5,500)
Lime
KES 1,500(1,800)

Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag