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n line with the Department of Agricultures (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. This flyer aims to share the basic information about adlai and to promote its production technology and utilization in the CALABARZON Region. Family and Origin Adlai (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is also called Jobs -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. 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
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. Local Varieties
Uses and Benefits As Food Alternative to grain crops (rice, corn, wheat) Processed as flour, tea, coffee, wine, beer, and vinegar Nutritional Value Per 100 gram edible portion, adlai grits contain: Properties Moisture, g Ash, g Energy, kcal Total Fat, g Total Carbohydrate, g Total Dietary Fiber, g Protein, g As Feed for Animals Amount 12.1 0.2 356 1.0 73.9 0.3 12.8
* Based on FNRI chemical analysis (2011)
Indigenous people in the southern Philippines identified four varieties of adlai, and these are the following:
Leaves can be used as fodder for feeding cattle, carabao, and other ruminants. Grains can be used as feed ingredient. Properties Protein Fat Fiber Moisture Ash 10.0% 4.7% 10.5% 10.9% 9.7% 54.2% 0.1% 0.3% 3,889 cal/g Amount
Gulian (white)
Tapol (purple)
Nitrogen Free Extract Calcium Phosphorus Gross Energy
* 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 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. Thinning Pull-out excess plants to maintain at most two plants per hill. Weed Management 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.
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.
Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 4-A
ADLAI
(Coix lacryma-jobi L.)
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 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.
...Traditional Staple Crop for Filipinos...
For more info., contact: DA 4-A/ STIARC Marawoy, Lipa CIty Tel. No. (043) 756-4962 Email: stiarc 4a@yahoo.com Produced/Circulated by: DA 4-A RAFID Tel. No.: (02) 698-4310 E-Mail: darfu4a_rafid@yahoo.com
Food
