Tracing back to the origin of theoretical problems in plant nutrition

This paper analyzed the development process of international plant nutrition research, especially on the plant nutrition theory in the past 200 years. From the early research on plant nutrition, the formation and development of humus theory of plant nutrition and its content were introduced. The discovery process of the mineral theory and Liebig’s reasons and facts of negation of humus theory are discussed. Liebig’s express and perfection process of mineral theory were introduced. The debates of the early controversy about mineral theory from Liebig and others were discussed. The contribution of mineral theory to modern agriculture was evaluated. This paper also questioned the theory of organic nutrition and carbon nutrition, pointed out the role of small organic molecular substances in plant growth and development.