Growing Sorghum in Trans Nzoia

Soil suitability analysis based on Trans Nzoia's nutrient profile

Sorghum can be grown in Trans Nzoia County, but the soil scores 51/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 5.93 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5–8 band Sorghum prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.68 g/kg), phosphorus (27.3 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Sorghum's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Sorghum, which favours clay. Sorghum's full potential is about 1,200 kg/acre (~KES 81,600/acre at KES 68/kg), but at Trans Nzoia's 51/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 765 kg/acre (~KES 52,020/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.