Encapsulation Technology (Biocapsules) is developed for the smart delivery of agriculturally important microorganisms.

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala has been granted the Patent (No. 361021) for Microbial Encapsulation Technology. It is a novel method of storing and delivering the PGPR / microbes through Biocapsules.

The Institute has successfully developed, field-tested and commercialized Encapsulation Technology (Biocapsules) for the smart delivery of agriculturally important microorganisms. The technology was developed by a team including Dr. M. Anandaraj, Dr. R. Dinesh and Dr. Y.K. Bini.

The technology involves Encapsulation of the Microorganisms of interest in a Gelatin Capsule for delivery to the agricultural crops for the enhanced soil nutrient solubilization, growth and yield. The recently patented product is used for cultivation of spices, vegetable and other crops. This technique can be used for delivering all kinds of agriculturally important micro-organisms, viz., N fixers, nutrient solubilizers / mobilizers, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Trichoderma, Burkholderia, etc. 

Advantages of Microbial Encapsulation Technology are as follows:

• Smart and precise microbial delivery to crops.
• Maintains high microbial population.
• Green technology, totally eco-friendly.
• Low production cost.
• Easy to handle and store.
• High shelf life.
• Production and storage at normal temperature.
• Does not require sophisticated equipment for manufacture.
• Can be used to deliver all agriculturally important microorganisms.

The Bio-Capsules developed by the Institute are already popular among the farmer community in the country. The sale of the capsules had witnessed an all-time high during 2020-21. The farmers from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and North East states including Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura are the major users of the Bio-Capsules.