Job’s Tears Seeds (Nerpavalam / Adlay)

Job’s Tears is a nutritious grain crop known for its medicinal value, animal feed, and ornamental beads. In Tamil Nadu, it grows well in warm and slightly moist conditions.

About the Plant

• Botanical name: Coix lacryma-jobi

• Common names: Job’s tears, Adlay, Nerpavalam

• Type: Annual grass (similar to maize)

• Uses:

  • Health food (porridge, flour)

  • Traditional medicine

  • Decorative beads (hard seeds)

Climate & Season

• Temperature: 20–30°C

• Needs moderate rainfall or irrigation

• Best sowing time:

  • June–July (rainy season)

  • Jan–Feb (with irrigation)

Soil Requirement

• Grows in many soils but prefers:

  • Loamy to clay soil

  • Well-drained but moisture-retentive

• pH: 5.5–7.5

Seed Sowing

• Seed rate: 8–10 kg/acre

• Method:

  • Direct sowing or nursery transplanting

• Spacing:

  • Row to row: 45–60 cm

  • Plant to plant: 20–30 cm

• Depth: 2–3 cm

Irrigation

• Needs consistent moisture

• Water:

  • Once in 5–7 days

• Avoid waterlogging

Fertilizer

• Basal:

  • FYM or compost (8–10 tons/acre)

• Optional:

  • Biofertilizers like Azospirillum

• Light nitrogen application improves growth

Crop Management

• Weed control in early stage (first 30–40 days)

• Earthing up helps plant support

• Mulching improves moisture retention

Pests & Diseases

• Generally hardy crop

• Occasional issues:

  • Leaf spot

  • Stem borers

• Control:

  • Neem oil spray

  • Field sanitation

Harvesting

• Crop duration: 4–5 months

• Harvest when:

  • Seeds turn hard and shiny

• Dry well before storage

Yield

• Average yield:

  • 800–1200 kg/acre

Benefits of Job’s Tears

• Rich in fiber and protein

• Used in traditional medicine

• Drought-tolerant and low maintenance

• Good alternative crop for small farmers