The scientific study of agriculture began in the 18th century, when Johann Friedrich Mayer conducted experiments on the use of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate) as a fertilizer.
ðə saɪəntˈɪfɪk stˈʌdi ʌv ˈæɡɹɪkˌʌltʃɚ bɪɡˈæn ɪnðɪ ˈeɪtiːnθ sˈɛntʃɚɹi, wˌɛn jˈoʊhɑːn fɹˈiːdɹɪtʃ mˈeɪɚ kəndˈʌktᵻd ɛkspˈɛɹɪmənts ɔnðə jˈuːs ʌv dʒˈɪpsəm haɪdɹˈeɪɾᵻd kˈælsiəm sˈʌlfeɪt æz ɐ fˈɜːɾəlˌaɪzɚ.