Light to Insight: Photosynthesis with LI‑COR at SAAB

Our first SAAB Conference, hosted by the South African Association of Botanists, marked a significant milestone as the organisation’s 50th annual gathering. Held in the bushveld surroundings of the WITS Rural Facility, the event offered more than just lectures and posters, it immersed us in the energy and excitement of South Africa’s plant science community.

As the official LI‑COR distributor in Southern Africa, we were proud to represent the LI‑6800 Portable Photosynthesis System throughout the conference. We spent much of our time listening to researchers share their experiences, and seasoned users reflect on their work with the system. These conversations helped us understand not only the value of the instrument we had presented at our table, but also the real needs of the people who use it.

Being alongside LI‑COR’s Field Application Scientist, Dr Ian Smillie, gave us valuable insight into the LI-6800's role in research. Dr Smillie delivered two engaging presentations that deepened attendees’ understanding of the LI‑6800’s history and the best practices for its use.

Image: Peter van Zyl, EUCA’s Technical Sales Manager and Product Specialist, demonstrates the LI‑6800 system during a hands-on session at the SAAB Conference.

Photosynthesis in Focus with Dr Ian Smillie

Dr Smillie’s presentations unpacked the intricacies of photosynthesis in a way that made complex science feel accessible. He introduced the audience to the dynamic assimilation technique, an advanced method for assessing how plants respond to fluctuating light and environmental conditions. By combining gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements, researchers can gain valuable insights into carbon fixation, water use efficiency, and the overall physiological state of plants. He also shared a historical journey through photosynthesis research, reminding us how far instrumentation has come, from temperamental field vans to compact and precise systems like the LI‑6800.

Image: Dr Ian Smillie presents a session on dynamic assimilation techniques and gas exchange measurement at the SAAB Conference.

Image: Explaining the steady-state gas exchange model, Dr Smillie highlights the principles behind mass balance and carbon assimilation.

In his second talk, Dr Smillie shifted focus to common pitfalls researchers face when making leaf-level physiological measurements. He walked the audience through real-world examples where instrumentation, application, or interpretation errors can quietly skew results. Emphasising that gas exchange blends physics, biology, and engineering, he highlighted how even small oversights, such as skipping a sensor matching step or misjudging leaf stability, can lead to misleading conclusions.

His advice was clear: understand the assumptions behind each measurement, validate your conditions, and always prioritise data quality over speed. It was a refreshing and honest look at the science behind the science, and a powerful reminder that precision begins with understanding.

Connections Through Research and Curiosity

These presentations sparked many conversations at our stand throughout the conference. We were pleasantly surprised by how many visitors approached us with curiosity, often asking, “What is this?” when they saw the LI‑6800 set up. For some, it was their first introduction to the system. For others, it opened up new possibilities for future research. It was exciting to witness that "aha" moment as people realised the potential of precise gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements in their own work.

Image:  Dr Ian Smillie engages with researchers at the EUCA Tech stand, discussing the features of the LI‑6800 system.