History of Nitrogen Fertilizer

Significance

• Justus von Liebig, a19th century German chemist, made the discovery that nitrogen is a critical nutrient plants need to flourish. Von Liebig's pioneering work ultimately helped to revolutionize the production of food worldwide.

Breakthrough

• In the early 20th century, another German chemist, Fritz Haber, discovered how to extract nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a liquid. The liquid is then turned into nitrogen fertilizer. Haber won the Nobel Prize for his discovery in 1918.

Effects

• The technological breakthrough that led to commercial nitrogen fertilizer has greatly increased the available food supply. Haber's work may have prevented a food crisis of epic proportions. About 2 billion people depend on foods fertilized with nitrogen, according to National Public Radio.