Von Helmont's theory

Von Helmont's theory emphasized the importance of water in plant growth, proposing that plants mainly derive their mass from water absorbed from their environment. He believed that water was the essential substance providing the materials for a plant's development, with minimal contribution from soil or air. His experiments showed that adding water increased plant size, challenging earlier ideas that soil was the primary source of plant matter. While later research identified other nutrients and factors involved, Von Helmont's work was an important step in understanding plant nutrition and the role of water in growth.