Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Morpho-agronomic performance and phenotypic diversity of adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) genotypes from Mindanao, Philippines

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.16261
Submitted
22 June 2026
Published
11-11-2026

Abstract

Adlay is an underutilised cereal crop with high nutritional value and potential for climate resilience; however, limited information on the variability of locally collected germplasm constrains its improvement and wider utilisation. This study evaluated the morpho-agronomic performance and phenotypic diversity of 15 adlay genotypes collected from Mindanao and grown under Musuan, Bukidnon conditions. Eighteen quantitative and one qualitative trait were assessed using a randomised complete block design with 3 replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for key traits, including germination percentage, days to emergence, plant height, number of nodes, leaf width, 100-seed weight and grain yield. Grain yield ranged from 2621 to 4676 kg ha-1, with Tapol genotypes recording the highest values. Pearson correlation analysis showed that grain yield was strongly and positively associated with vegetative (r = 0.85) and productive tillers (r = 0.82), while negatively correlated with days to flowering (r = -0.70) and maturity (r = -0.73), indicating that earlier phenological development was associated with higher grain yield under the conditions of the study. The Standardised Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H′ = 0.75) indicated moderate diversity, particularly for yield-related and phenological traits. Principal component analysis revealed that vegetative traits and reproductive phenology were the major contributors to the observed multivariate variation. Overall, the evaluated genotypes exhibited substantial morpho-agronomic variation, with the Tapol genotypes showing promising grain yield in the present evaluation. Given the single-location, single-season design, however, these findings should be considered preliminary; multi-location and multi-season validation is needed to confirm genotype performance and trait associations.

References

  1. 1. Savary S, Willocquet L, Pethybridge SJ, Esker P, McRoberts N, Nelson A. The global burden of pathogens and pests on major food crops. Nat Ecol Evol. 2019;3(3):430–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0793-y
  2. 2. van Dijk M, Morley T, Rau ML, Saghai Y. A meta-analysis of projected global food demand and population at risk of hunger for the period 2010–2050. Nat Food. 2021;2(7):494–501. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00322-9
  3. 3. Gloria AL, Alegado JC Jr, Boco MDA. Adaptability trial of five varieties of adlai (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) grown in marginal land, under San Miguel environment condition, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. SDSSU Multidiscip Res J. 2015;3:70–7. https://doi.org/10.69546/91lw1045
  4. 4. Aradilla AR. Phased planting: determining the best time to plant adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) in Southern Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. Int J Educ Res. 2016;4(5):419.
  5. 5. Bon SG, Enicola EE, Padasas GY, Galvez HF. Diversity conservation of adlay germplasm in the Philippines. Philipp J Crop Sci. 2017;42(Suppl 1):98.
  6. 6. Aradilla AR. Phenology, growth and yield performance of adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) grown in adverse climatic conditions. Int J Res Rev. 2018;5(3):16–24.
  7. 7. Bon SG, Antesco GP, Huelgas VC, Enicola EC. Genetic diversity, components of variation and clade pattern of Philippine Coix (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) germplasm populations. Philipp J Crop Sci. 2020;45(3):1–10.
  8. 8. Magallon WN, Cabahug AG. Field performance of adlai (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) under organic planting system in acidic marginal upland in the Philippines. Int J Agric Technol. 2022;18(4):1671–82.
  9. 9. Shen G, Girdthai T, Liu ZY, Fu YH, Meng QY, Liu FZ. Principal component and morphological diversity analysis of Job's-tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.). Chil J Agric Res. 2019;79(1):131–43. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-58392019000100131
  10. 10. Fu YH, Yang C, Meng Q, Liu F, Shen G, Zhou M, et al. Genetic diversity and structure of Coix lacryma-jobi L. from its world secondary diversity center, Southwest China. Int J Genomics. 2019;2019:9815697. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9815697
  11. 11. Galve JRS, Nalasa MJA, Aradilla JVR. Stem-cutting propagation of adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.): effects of genotype and stalk portion on vegetative growth. Agro Bali Agric J. 2026;9(1):14–22. https://doi.org/10.37637/ab.v9i1.2651
  12. 12. Aradilla AR, Jamago JM, Baldo NB, Dargantes SMT, Detalla MEB, Ebuña HLV, et al. Agronomic diversity and yield potential of short-statured adlay selections (SSAS) at Gen5. CMU J Sci. 2024;28(2):43–51.
  13. 13. Toledo-Bruno AG, Paquit JC, Casas JV. Integrating GIS with landuse decision-making: the case of Central Mindanao University, Philippines. In: Proceedings of the 37th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing; 2016; Colombo, Sri Lanka. p. 229.
  14. 14. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Agrometeorological data from PAGASA weather station in Central Mindanao University, Bukidnon (January to July 2022). 2024.
  15. 15. International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Guidelines for the conduct of tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability for adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Rom. Caill.) Stapf). Geneva: UPOV; 2012. p. 28.
  16. 16. International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Rom. Caill.) Stapf): guidelines for the conduct of tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability. Draft. Geneva: UPOV; 2015.
  17. 17. Jamago JM, Cortes RV. Seed diversity and utilization of the upland rice landraces and traditional varieties from selected areas in Bukidnon, Philippines. Int J Ecol Conserv. 2012;4(1):112–30. https://doi.org/10.7718/ijec.v4i1.366
  18. 18. Gorne ND, Aradilla AR. Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) intercropping and fertilization schemes as climate smart strategy for food and feed production. Ann Trop Res. 2020;42(1):56–71. https://doi.org/10.32945/atr4215.2020
  19. 19. Cañete QR, Escasinas RO. Response of adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) to different tillage methods and population densities. Sci Humanit J. 2023;17:1–16.
  20. 20. Bulong MP, Guerzon NRS, Goha-od RC. Growth and yield performance of adlai (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) under the organic-based condition of Lamut, Ifugao. Upland Farm J. 2017;25(1):16–24.
  21. 21. Shavrukov Y, Kurishbayev A, Jatayev S, Shvidchenko V, Zotova L, Koekemoer F, et al. Early flowering as a drought escape mechanism in plants: how can it aid wheat production? Front Plant Sci. 2017;8:1950. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01950
  22. 22. Verdú M, Traveset A. Early emergence enhances plant fitness: a phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis. Ecology. 2005;86(6):1385–94. https://doi.org/10.1890/04-1647
  23. 23. Mmbando GS. Tiller number: an essential criterion for developing high-yield and stress-resilient cereal crops. Arch Agron Soil Sci. 2025;71(1):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2025.2464662
  24. 24. Türkösi E, Szakács É, Ivanizs L, Farkas A, Gaál E, Said M, et al. A chromosome arm from Thinopyrum intermedium × Thinopyrum ponticum hybrid confers increased tillering and yield potential in wheat. Mol Breed. 2024;44:7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-024-01439-y
  25. 25. Kalaitzidis A, Kadoglidou K, Mylonas I, Ghoghoberidze S, Ninou E, Katsantonis D. Investigating the impact of tillering on yield and yield-related traits in European rice cultivars. Agriculture. 2025;15:616. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060616

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.