Provided herein are compositions and methods to improve plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stress, thereby improving crop yield. Provided herein are compositions including zinc, copper, and an acid, where the acid is selected from citric acid, sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, humic acid, fulvic acid, boric acid, acetic acid, and a combination thereof. Certain embodiments optionally include ammonium sulfate. Compositions described herein have plant priming activity where the plant's defenses against abiotic and biotic stress are boosted.

The invention described here-in includes the emulsion synthesis, processing, end-product and composition of encapsulated fertilizers and oils using alginate and select performance enhancing additives depending on the specific article's application. In some embodiments of the invention such as controlled fertilizer release, encapsulation longevity, fungal control, or insect repellency, the alginate-fertilizer and alginate-oil sponge are used as a slowly leaching and biodegradable capsule. The invention enables a mean for consumers to fertilize their plants without the addition of micro plastics to the soil, while acting as a mosquito repellent preventing the spread of arbo-viruses. The invention described here-in includes use of a mixture or individual additives: clay, calcined clay, cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and/or sodium polyacrylate used as thickeners and filler. Clays and calcined clays are used for their high surface area, adsorption and absorption properties, storing fertilizer for long term release, and adding structural integrity to the capsule.

The invention described here-in includes the emulsion synthesis, processing, end-product and composition of encapsulated fertilizers and oils using alginate and select performance enhancing additives depending on the specific article's application. In some embodiments of the invention such as controlled fertilizer release, encapsulation longevity, fungal control, or insect repellency, the alginate-fertilizer and alginate-oil sponge are used as a slowly leaching and biodegradable capsule. The invention enables a mean for consumers to fertilize their plants without the addition of micro plastics to the soil, while acting as a mosquito repellent preventing the spread of arbo-viruses. The invention described here-in includes use of a mixture or individual additives: clay, calcined clay, cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and/or sodium polyacrylate used as thickeners and filler. Clays and calcined clays are used for their high surface area, adsorption and absorption properties, storing fertilizer for long term release, and adding structural integrity to the capsule.