The Law of the Minimum was first formulated by Carl Sprengel but popularized by Justus
von Liebig
(and is still often attributed to him). It is frequently illustrated by a barrel with staves of varying
lengths. Its core principle states that yield is most limited by the nutrient that is in the greatest
deficiency. Conversely, this also means that yield increases through fertilization of the minimum
factor are only possible up to the point where the next limiting factor comes into play. The figure
below illustrates this relationship.
Originally confined to nutrient elements, this statement was later extended to other
growth factors
(light, water, temperature,etc.
Criticisms of the "Law":
- It suggests a linear relationship
between yield and the availability of a nutrient (or growth
factor).
- It implies that equal amounts of
all nutrients have the same effect on yield.
