Encapsulation of <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> in Carboxymethyl Cellulose Reinforced with Nanocellulose for Delivery as Fertilizer Coatings

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The limited stability of microbial inoculants such as Trichoderma harzianum ( T. harzianum ) poses a major challenge to the development of effective delivery systems. To address this, a nanocomposite matrix of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was developed to encapsulate T. harzianum and facilitate delivery through fertilizer granules. The encapsulation was highly effective; after three months of storage at room temperature, encapsulated spores maintained high viability (∼6.5 × 10 8 CFU g –1 ), whereas nonencapsulated spores exhibited a three-order-of-magnitude reduction. Incorporation of CNC also generated a sustained-release profile for the spores by enhancing the structural integrity of the CMC matrix and creating a more tortuous diffusion path. Moreover, the polymeric coating was essential for preserving fungal viability and promoting growth under the osmotic stress imposed by monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizer even after 30 days of storage at room temperature. These findings highlight the potential of these formulations as protective and efficient delivery systems for microbial inoculants, improving their stability within integrated fertilization strategies.