Growing Wambugu Apples in Taita Taveta
Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile
Generally not ideal — Taita Taveta is poorly suited to Wambugu Apples. Taita Taveta's soil (pH 6.64, near-neutral) gives Wambugu Apples a suitability score of 4/100. Match fertilizer to Taita Taveta's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Wambugu Apples (soil-match score 4/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5–7 band Wambugu Apples prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Wambugu Apples, which favours loam. Taita Taveta receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Wambugu Apples's minimum of 1000 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Wambugu Apples's full potential is about 4,000 kg/acre (~KES 300,000/acre at KES 75/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 4/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 200 kg/acre (~KES 15,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Taita Taveta soil | Wambugu Apples needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.64 | 5–7 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.97 g/kg | min 0.8 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 12.9 mg/kg | min 12 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 104 mg/kg | min 200 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 500 mm | 1,000–1,800 mm | Low |
| Altitude | 700 m | 1,500–2,500 m | Low |
Top dressing guide
Recommended seed varieties
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag