Growing Cotton in Nakuru

Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile

Nakuru County is a solid choice for Cotton, with a soil-match score of 64/100. Local soils average pH 6.28 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.8–8 band Cotton prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Cotton's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Cotton, which favours clay. Cotton's full potential is about 900 kg/acre (~KES 61,200/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Nakuru's 64/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 720 kg/acre (~KES 48,960/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.