Growing Wambugu Apples in Nyamira

Soil suitability analysis based on Nyamira's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Nyamira is well suited to Wambugu Apples. Nyamira's soil (pH 5.58, slightly acidic) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 86/100. Match fertilizer to Nyamira's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Nyamira County is well suited to Wambugu Apples, scoring 86/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.58 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is phosphorus and potassium — measured at N 0.84 g/kg, P 11.6 mg/kg, K 148 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. 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.

86Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorNyamira soilWambugu Apples needsStatus
pH5.5857OK
Nitrogen0.84 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus11.6 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgLow
Potassium148 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgLow
Rainfall1,600 mm1,000–1,800 mmOK
Altitude1,700 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 4,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 300,000/acre

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