Interpenetrating network polymeric beads of sodium alginate (NaAlg) and its blend with gelatin (gels) or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) have been prepared by crosslinking with a common crosslinking agent, glutaraldehyde (GA), for the release of insecticide carbaryl (Carb). The prepared beads were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the spherical nature and surface morphology of the particles. Bead characteristics, such as carbaryl entrapment efficiency, particle size, equilibrium swelling degree, and carbaryl release kinetics, were determined. The effects of the preparation conditions, such as Carb/NaAlg ratio, time of exposure to GA, blend ratio, and temperature of release medium on the carbaryl release, were investigated for 25 days at 25 degrees C. It was observed that the carbaryl release decreased with increase in crosslinking of network, while it increased with increase in Carb/NaAlg ratio and temperature. The release of carbaryl also increased with increase in Gel or NaCMC content in the blend beads. The highest carbaryl release was found to be 100%, for the beads that were prepared with 1:1 NaAlg/Gel at 16 days. The diffusion coefficients have been calculated for the transport of insecticide through the polymeric beads, using initial time approximation method. These values were also consistent with the carbaryl release data. The carbaryl release from most of the bead formulations followed the Fickian trend. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.