Also, in 1840, Boussingault’s fan and contemporary, German chemist Justus Freiherr von Liebig (1803-1873)
First published Die organische Chemie in ihrer Anwendung auf Agricultur und Physiologie (Organic Chemistry in its Application to Agriculture and Physiology), proffered the ridiculous proposition that chemistry could drastically increase yields and cut the costs associated with growing food.
Liebig made significant scientific contributions to agricultural chemistry and was the first to put forth a theory on mineral nutrients, identifying as essential to plant growth the now-familiar elements including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Interestingly, Liebig’s major downfall was his lack of experience in the practical applications of his research. One of his best-known achievements was developing nitrogen-based fertiliser, arguing in the 1840s that it was necessary to grow the best possible crops. However, he later convinced himself that there was plenty of nitrogen supplied to plants through ammonia contained in precipitation and strongly argued against using nitrogen in fertilisers in his later years.
Despite his wavering, Justus Freiherr von Liebig became known as the father of the fertiliser industry. Not only for his identification of nitrogen and other elements as necessary for plant growth but also for his development of the Law of the Minimum, which observed how individual nutrient components affected crop growth.