Download before corn and rice became widespread staple foods. At present, it

I
n line with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) goal
of attaining food self-sufficiency, adlai or “katigbi”
is now being developed as alternative staple
food crop. In collaboration with the non-government
organizations, Earthkeepers and MASIPAG, the
Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) led the
implementation of Adlai Research and Development
Program. Location-specific technology development
of the crop is being implemented in areas identified
with potential for commercial production.
Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural
Research Center (STIARC) and its Research
Outreach Stations in Tiaong, Quezon and Tanay,
Rizal are among the research institutions stet the
conduct of adlai variety trials and seed production.
The center and these facilities are also actively
promoting the utilization of adlai through technology
demonstrations.
before corn and rice became widespread staple
foods. At present, it is cultivated as a minor cereal
crop throughout the tropics and subtropics, especially
in India, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia,
and the Mediterranean. In Malaysia the grain is
roasted before husking and then used in porridge
and in cakes. In Thailand, it is also often used in the
preparation of sweets and sometimes in soups and
other foods.
The hard-shelled adlai (e.g. Coix lacrymajobi var. lacryma-jobi) commonly found in the wild are
considered as weeds, however, in the Philippines it is
used as beads for making accessories like necklace
and rosary.
Per 100 gram edible portion, adlai grits
contain:
Properties
Amount
Moisture, g
12.1
Ash, g
0.2
Energy, kcal
356
Total Fat, g
1.0
Total Carbohydrate, g
73.9
Total Dietary Fiber, g
0.3
Protein, g
12.8
* Based on FNRI chemical analysis (2011)
As Feed for Animals
Family and Origin
The origin of adlai
is unknown, but it is
indigenous to southern
and eastern Asia. The
soft-shelled adlai (e.g.
Coix lacryma-jobi var.
mayuen) has been
cultivated since ancient
times and was very important
Nutritional Value
Local Varieties
This flyer aims to share the basic information
about adlai and to promote its production technology
and utilization in the CALABARZON Region.
Adlai (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is also called
Job’s -m Tears because
of its tear-shape grains.
It belongs to the grass
family (Poaceae) which
also includes popular
crops like rice, corn,
and wheat.
Uses and Benefits
As Food
• Alternative to grain crops (rice, corn,
wheat)
• Processed as flour, tea, coffee, wine, beer,
and vinegar
Indigenous people in the southern Philippines
identified four varieties of adlai, and these are the
following:
Gulian (white)
Tapol (purple)
• Leaves can be used as fodder for feeding
cattle, carabao, and other ruminants.
• Grains can be used as feed ingredient.
Properties
Amount
Protein
10.0%
Fat
4.7%
Fiber
10.5%
Moisture
10.9%
Ash
9.7%
Nitrogen Free Extract
54.2%
Calcium
0.1%
Phosphorus
0.3%
Gross Energy
3,889 cal/g
* Based on BAI chemical analysis on adlai grains (2011)
Ginampay (brown)
Pulot
(white-glutinous)
Other Uses
• As herbal medicine (anti-inflammatory;
anti-allergen, anti-mutagen, anti-diabetes)
• As ornaments (beads for necklace, bracelet,
rosary, etc.)
Production Management
Irrigation
Water the plants when there is inadequate
soil moisture, particularly, during dry season.
Harvesting
Harvest adlai 5-6 months after planting.
Cut the matured panicles then place in sacks. Use
mechanical thresher to separate the grains from
leaves and stalks.
Land Preparation
Plow
and
harrow the area at
least two times and
make furrows 90 cm
wide.
Planting
Right
after
furrowing,
apply
organic
fertilizer
(vermicompost) along
the furrows at 2 tons/
ha. Sow 2-3 seeds
per hill at a distance
of 60 cm between
hills.
Drying, Storage and Milling
Dry grains to 13% moisture content (MC)
and store in cool and dry place. The storage should
be free from insects, rodents, and other pests.
It is best to mill the grains when they have
12-13% MC. The milling recovery of well-polished
adlai is 50%.
Ratooning
Pull-out excess plants to maintain at most
two plants per hill.
Adlai can be ratooned 3-4 times after harvest
of the main crop. It produces shoots a month after
cutting. The same cultural management is applied.
Cultivate between
the rows 30 Days After
Planting (DAP) or offbarring to control weeds
between the rows. Hill-up
at 60 DAP within the rows.
Control subsequent weed
growth by hand weeding.
ADLAI
(Coix lacryma-jobi L.)
Thinning
Weed Management
Department of Agriculture
Regional Field Unit 4-A
...Traditional Staple
Crop for Filipinos...
For more info., contact:
DA 4-A/ STIARC
Marawoy, Lipa CIty
Tel. No. (043) 756-4962
Email: stiarc [email protected]
Produced/Circulated by:
DA 4-A RAFID
Tel. No.: (02) 698-4310
E-Mail: [email protected]
Food