## 11 Conclusions and Prospects  
The initial carrier system setup determines the chemical and biological agent (_T. viride_ spores) release rates and patterns. By adopting a systematic formulation approach, optimal release can be achieved for prolonged protection and nutritional benefits on the plants via continuous release over an extended period. Knowledge of the molecular interactions between encapsulated agents and delivery systems and mechanisms controlling its release aids in the preparation of microparticles with specifically tailored properties and controllable release kinetics. Simultaneous encapsulation of chemical and biological agents is feasible. Intermolecular interactions between components from which microparticles are necessary to investigate before the encapsulation process. Release from alginate-based microparticles can be controlled by tuning the concentration of cations and with an additional layer, as well as with the presence of a biological agent. This way, a wide array of applications of microparticles with desirable properties, depending on the needs of a plant, is attainable. Proposed preparation methods are applicable for various types of encapsulated cations, as well as biological agents. One should follow the same methodology to successfully characterize microparticles or predict their release behavior over time. Presented guidelines can be universally used for any type of biopolymeric microparticle preparation using the ionic gelation method, regardless of the loaded components. Application guidelines should be followed when applying microparticles for agricultural purposes. Treatments with prepared microparticles loaded with chemical and biological agents have shown a significant influence on the synthesis of plant metabolites. Tailoring microparticlesto suit the plant's needs and to stimulate plant secondary metabolites synthesis is challenging. This area is relatively new, and opportunities are vast. In the future, it can be expected that biopolymer-based formulations will dominate the market, since they can contribute to plant protection and nutrition in ecological production. These formulations are useful in the stimulation of bioactive compounds, which ends in improved nutritional quality and potential dietary sources of natural polyphenic antioxidants. Microparticles preparation and application methods presented are simple and reliable, friendly to the environment, and economically favorable. Future investigation should focus on the precise agriculture and metabolomics aspect to determine which mechanisms are responsible for synthesis stimulation and quantify plant needs more precisely concerning the tailored microparticles.  
Conceptualization, S.J.; Data curation; Investigation; Methodology; Formal analysis; Validation; Visualization; Writing--original draft, M.J. Visualization, Writing--review & editing, A.R.J. Supervision; Writing--review & editing, M.V. Supervision; Funding acquisition; Writing--review & editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (UIP-2014-501 09-6462) and Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020 (K.K.01.1.1.04.0058) \"Potential of microencapsulation in cheese production\".  
The data presented in this review are available on request from the corresponding author.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.