Growing Lucerne in Nakuru
Soil suitability analysis based on Nakuru's nutrient profile
Yes — Nakuru is well suited to Lucerne. Nakuru's soil (pH 6.28, slightly acidic) gives Lucerne a suitability score of 75/100. Match fertilizer to Nakuru's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Nakuru County is well suited to Lucerne, scoring 75/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. At an average pH of 6.28 the soil is slightly acidic to near-neutral, below Lucerne's preferred 6.5–8 range; agricultural lime will lift pH and unlock phosphorus the crop cannot otherwise access. Nitrogen (1.59 g/kg), phosphorus (25.2 mg/kg) and potassium (239 mg/kg) all meet Lucerne's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Lucerne, which favours clay loam. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Lucerne crop here can gross roughly KES 224,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Nakuru soil | Lucerne needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.28 | 6.5–8 | Adjust |
| Nitrogen | 1.59 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 25.2 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 239 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | OK |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 400–800 mm | High |
| Altitude | 1,750 m | 0–2,500 m | OK |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag