Encapsulated nutrient salts including nutrient salt particles encapsulated with a water-insoluble chitosan-stearic acid complex are provided. A method for forming encapsulated nutrient salts is provided, including forming a water-in-oil micro-emulsion including an oil and an aqueous salt solution, adding chitosan and stearic acid to the water-in-oil micro-emulsion, where the chitosan and stearic acid form a complex, and collapsing the aqueous phase of the water-in-oil micro-emulsion to form the encapsulated salt particles.
