Do plants require nutrients in similar proportions? : a possible paradigm shift

Sammanfattning: Within the field of plant nutrition, specific nutritional requirements in plants are under constant scrutiny. In the predominant paradigm, it is held as a commonly accepted fact that different plant species have considerably different nutrient requirements, concerning the mutual proportions between the nutrients. However, the ruling paradigm shows signs of incoherence and give several examples of inconsistencies, sometimes even outright contradictions. As a result of profound research over the last four decades an elaborate contending theory have emerged. Its central hypothesis states that all terrestrial plants have the same basic nutritional requirements, concerning the mutual proportions between the nutrients, due to the same basic physiology. Foundational literature representing the predominant paradigm were surveyed. Likewise was the published materials from the research leading up to the challenging hypothesis. The issue were primarily compared through the medium of hydroponic production of soilless culture, due to the systems quantifiable properties. The results indicates that the validity of the predominant paradigm is questionable. Particularly in the light of the contending hypothesis, which stands strong under the lens of scrutiny. It were concluded that it is valid to question the legitimacy of the predominant paradigm, and that it is sensible to further investigate the challenging hypothesis.