Growing Sunflower in Samburu

Soil suitability analysis based on Samburu's nutrient profile

Sunflower can be grown in Samburu County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. At an average pH of 8.28 the soil sits above Sunflower's preferred 6–7.5 range, which can limit uptake of phosphorus and micronutrients. The main gap is nitrogen — measured at N 0.67 g/kg, P 42.1 mg/kg, K 387 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Sunflower, which favours sandy. Sunflower's full potential is about 750 kg/acre (~KES 36,000/acre at KES 48/kg), but at Samburu's 45/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 422 kg/acre (~KES 20,256/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.