Abstract: The invention provides an encapsulated microorganism comprising particles comprising a core and a coating over the core. The core comprises a microorganism and an alginate or polyaspartate. The coating comprises a lipid-based coating. The application of lipid waxes serves to repel diffusion of any water-soluble chemicals that may be present on the surface of commercially available seeds. The lipid waxes applied on top of encapsulated microbial capsules are degradable by enzymes produces by germinating seeds. Thus, the colonization of rhizosphere of germinating plant by the commensal bacteria is a time targeted process to the benefit of the plant.