Cultivation Methods and Key Field Management Techniques for Job's Tears

The Chinese medicinal herb Job's Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) is an annual plant, 1.5-2 m tall. It can grow in ordinary soil and has very strong adaptability.

Cultivation methods: It can be planted from April to mid-May. Before planting, wash the seeds clean, changing the water 3-4 times, and mix with carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl according to the dosage on the instructions, which can prevent powdery mildew or smut. Soaking in limewater for 8-10 hours can also be used; use lump lime, with the water turning a light white as the standard, and this can also effectively sterilize and prevent disease. Job's Tears is sown in drills: open small furrows 3 cm deep at a row spacing of 50 cm, sow the seeds and then rake the soil level. If there is drought, water may be applied; if it is not too dry, do not water.

Field management: When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, pay attention to intertillage and weeding; when the seedlings are 50-60 cm tall, apply 15 kg of chemical fertilizer per mu as a top dressing. To increase yield and produce more seed heads, spray paclobutrazol at the appropriate time when the plants are 1 m tall, controlling their height to 1.5-1.7 m. When a large number of grains have formed, spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate once every 7 days for several consecutive applications; this can make the grains plump, increase yield, and allow earlier harvest.

Harvest and processing: Harvest in autumn after the fruits mature, thresh out the seeds and sun-dry them to obtain the finished product.