Growing Pixie Oranges in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Quick answer

Yes — Trans Nzoia is well suited to Pixie Oranges. Trans Nzoia's soil (pH 5.93, slightly acidic) gives Pixie Oranges a suitability score of 88/100. Match fertilizer to Trans Nzoia's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.

Trans Nzoia County is well suited to Pixie Oranges, scoring 88/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Pixie Oranges prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Pixie Oranges's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. Pixie Oranges prefers sandy loam soils, while Trans Nzoia is largely clay loam, so drainage and organic-matter management matter more here. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 8,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pixie Oranges crop here can gross roughly KES 224,000 per acre.

88Suitability score

Soil & climate match

FactorTrans Nzoia soilPixie Oranges needsStatus
pH5.935.57.5OK
Nitrogen1.68 g/kgmin 0.8 g/kgOK
Phosphorus27.3 mg/kgmin 12 mg/kgOK
Potassium213 mg/kgmin 200 mg/kgOK
Rainfall1,200 mm600–1,200 mmOK
Altitude1,900 m1,000–2,000 mOK

Top dressing guide

Product
CAN
Timing
Biannual start of rains
Instruction
Apply in a ring around the drip line. Foliar zinc and manganese every season for fruit quality.
Bags per Acre
0.5

Recommended seed varieties

PixieMedium/Highland
KALRO/HCDA · 1000-1500 days · 7.2–10.8 tons/acre
Seedless; thin skin; excellent sweetness; high export demand.
Washington NavelMedium
KALRO · 1000-1500 days · 6.3–9 tons/acre
Large navel orange; seedless; good fresh market variety.

Economics

Market priceKES 28/kg
Expected yield 8,000 kg/acre
Estimated revenueKES 224,000/acre

Preferred textureSandy Loam

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