In the 18th century, Johann Friedrich Mayer conducted experiments on the use of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate) as a fertilizer.
ɪnðɪ ˈeɪtiːnθ sˈɛntʃɚɹi, jˈoʊhɑːn fɹˈiːdɹɪtʃ mˈeɪɚ kəndˈʌktᵻd ɛkspˈɛɹɪmənts ɔnðə jˈuːs ʌv dʒˈɪpsəm haɪdɹˈeɪɾᵻd kˈælsiəm sˈʌlfeɪt æz ɐ fˈɜːɾəlˌaɪzɚ.