LAUSR

BACKGROUND Wheat is a valuable food source that is exposed to many diseases that reduce its quantity and quality. One of the most important diseases affecting wheat is take-all, caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. The application of bacterial inoculants into the soil can increase plant nutrient absorption and enhance the efficiency of probiotic bacteria. For increased beneficial bacteria efficiency, the encapsulation technique has been used in agriculture. RESULTS The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) indicated that the prepared formulation is a mixture of gellan and chitosan. Using SEM, the spherical structure of the microcapsules was confirmed. It was observed that the increase in bacterial release was gradual, and the highest amount of bacteria was released (109 CFU/ml) on the 50th day. Greenhouse experiments showed that plants treated with S. fulvissimus Uts22 microcapsules had the highest efficiency with 90% disease control. Moreover, the highest fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots were observed in this treatment. CONCLUSION In this study, a new type of formulation aiming at controlling wheat take-all disease was developed through bacterial and nanoparticles loaded chitosan- gellan gum microcapsules with spray drying method. This formulation has many advantages, such as a large surface area and high internal porosity and increased water-holding capacity, while it as well as provides a proper habitat for bacteria to increase colonization rate and protection them in the soil.