Carl Sprengel
Encyclopedia
Karl or Carl Philipp Sprengel (March 29, 1787 – April 19, 1859) was a German
botanist from Schillerslage (now part of Burgdorf, Hanover).
Sprengel worked under Albrecht Thaer
(1752–1828) in Celle
. He then worked from 1804 to 1808 with Heinrich Einhof (1778–1808) in Möglin on agricultural
studies. From 1821-1828 he studied natural sciences in Göttingen
, where he eventually became professor. Sprengel died in Regenwalde (Resko)
, Pomerania.
Sprengel was the first to formulate the "theory of minimum" in agricultural chemistry, meaning that plant growth is limited by the essential nutrient at the lowest concentration. This rule, often incorrectly attributed to Justus von Liebig
as Liebig's law of the minimum
, was instead only popularised as a scientific concept by Liebig.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
botanist from Schillerslage (now part of Burgdorf, Hanover).
Sprengel worked under Albrecht Thaer
Albrecht Thaer
Albrecht Daniel Thaer was a renowned German agronomist and an avid supporter of the humus theory for plant nutrition.Thaer was born in Celle and died in Wriezen...
(1752–1828) in Celle
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
. He then worked from 1804 to 1808 with Heinrich Einhof (1778–1808) in Möglin on agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
studies. From 1821-1828 he studied natural sciences in Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
, where he eventually became professor. Sprengel died in Regenwalde (Resko)
Resko
Resko is a town in Łobez County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland, with 4,436 inhabitants . It is located on the Rega River.-External links:*...
, Pomerania.
Sprengel was the first to formulate the "theory of minimum" in agricultural chemistry, meaning that plant growth is limited by the essential nutrient at the lowest concentration. This rule, often incorrectly attributed to Justus von Liebig
Justus von Liebig
Justus von Liebig was a German chemist who made major contributions to agricultural and biological chemistry, and worked on the organization of organic chemistry. As a professor, he devised the modern laboratory-oriented teaching method, and for such innovations, he is regarded as one of the...
as Liebig's law of the minimum
Liebig's law of the minimum
Liebig's Law of the Minimum, often simply called Liebig's Law or the Law of the Minimum, is a principle developed in agricultural science by Carl Sprengel and later popularized by Justus von Liebig...
, was instead only popularised as a scientific concept by Liebig.
Works
- Die Lehre vom Dünger oder Beschreibung aller bei der Landwirthschaft gebräuchlicher vegetablilischer, animalischer und mineralischer Düngermaterialien, nebst Erklärung ihrer Wirkungsart. Leipzig, 1839