THE EMERGENCE AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Abstract

The nineteenth century witnessed the emergence of new theories, the transformation of old ones and the establishment of new institutions. As far as such processes refer particularly to agricultural science, a key role was played by the German chemist Justus von Liebig. This paper looks at the reasons why it was chemistry which gave rise to agricultural science and why this eminent chemist with international reputation became interested in agriculture. It also sheds some light into the strategies used for the institutionalization of the field in a worldwide basis.