Spray drying can directly convert fermentation broths, extracts, and suspensions into dry powders or microspheres with good flowability that are easy to store and transport in a single step. It is a core piece of equipment in the production of agricultural inputs, animal feed, and agricultural extracts, and is particularly suitable for live-culture preparations (which require low-temperature processing and protective agents to preserve the live cultures).

1. Biopesticides (Most Common Applications)

Spray-dried live bacterial fermentation extracts from Bacillus subtilis, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma harzianum, Penicillium violaceum, and other microorganisms, formulated into wettable powders and dry suspensions (DFPMC).

Microencapsulation: During the spray-drying process, spores are encapsulated using wall materials such as maltodextrin and starch, providing UV resistance and heat resistance, extending shelf life, and reducing degradation in the field.

Advantages: Rapid disintegration and suspension upon contact with water, minimal dust generation, and safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional powders.

2. Fertilizers, Microbial Preparations

Fermentation broths from Bacillus, EM bacteria, and phosphorus- and potassium-solubilizing bacteria → Raw powder for microbial fertilizers and raw materials for composite microbial inoculants.

Seaweed fertilizer, amino acid fertilizer, humic acid concentrate, and fish protein concentrate are spray-dried into powder and used as raw materials for foliar fertilizers and drip irrigation fertilizers.

Slow-release fertilizers are microencapsulated and granulated to ensure gradual nutrient release and improve fertilizer utilization efficiency.

3. Chemical Pesticide Formulations

Water-based suspensions of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides; spray-dried to produce dry suspensions (DF) and high-end water-dispersible granules.

The granules are uniform, have a high suspension rate, and disperse rapidly in water; they are suitable for spraying on fruit trees and in field crops, with low dust generation and good safety.

4. Feed and Aquaculture Additives

Yeast, probiotics, lactic acid bacteria, and Bacillus spores powder; plasma protein, plant extracts, and chelated trace elements—spray-dried.

Aquatic microecological preparations (photosynthetic bacteria, EM bacterial powder), which are convenient for mixing into feed and adjusting water quality, and are resistant to spoilage during storage and transportation.

Fermented feed concentrates are spray-dried to produce feed ingredients, facilitating formulation.

5. Agricultural Plant Extracts, Plant Protection and Induced Resistance Ingredients

Herbal extracts (plant-based pesticides such as matrine and azadirachtin), fruit and vegetable extracts, and algae extracts are spray-dried into powder.

Used as raw materials for plant inducers, foliar fertilizers, and rooting agents.

6. Value-Added Processing of Agricultural Products (Raw Materials for Agricultural Supplies)

Fruit and vegetable juices, edible mushrooms, and protein slurries are spray-dried to produce fruit powder and vegetable powder, which are used as raw materials for foliar fertilizers and organic water-soluble fertilizers.

Key Features of Agricultural Spray Drying

Live-culture materials are generally processed using low-temperature spray drying, combined with stabilizers (skim milk, sugar, and dextrin), while controlling the inlet air temperature to ensure the survival rate of the live cultures; chemical pesticides and humic acid-based products can be processed using conventional high-temperature spray drying.